Implementation of a federal compliance strategy for transboundary waste regulations

Petition: 379

Issue(s): Compliance and enforcement, governance, international cooperation, transport, waste management

Petitioner(s): Resident of Canada

Petitioner Location(s): Dundas, Ontario

Date Received: 4 June 2015

Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition received

Summary: This petition focuses on the mandates of the federal entities responsible for overseeing the transboundary movement of hazardous waste and recyclable materials between Canada and the United States. Environment Canada (EC) is responsible for administering the regulations, while the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assists by ensuring that the proper documents accompany each shipment crossing the border.

The petition notes that the regulations concerning the export and import of hazardous waste were replaced in 2005 by the current Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations. The petition asserts that, in addition to replacing the regulations, EC was planning to introduce smart card technology and a modernized online tracking system, but has not implemented either change. The petition requests an update on the status and planned availability of these changes. The petition also asks for details on EC and CBSA roles and responsibilities under the memorandum of understanding between the two entities as well as on related CBSA activities since 2005. In particular, the petition asks if any issues were encountered during the implementation phase of the new regulations, particularly as the older manifest documents were converted to the current movement documents, and if exporters were potentially affected.

The petition also asks questions about sections of EC’s 2005 Compliance Strategy for the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations. In particular, the petition seeks clarification of EC’s compliance promotion activities to inform partners and stakeholders of the changes that came into effect with the current regulations.

Federal departments responsible for reply: Canada Border Services Agency, Environment Canada