Government of Canada to Implement Regulations on Benzene Emissions in Sarnia Ontario

The Department of the Environment, under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, has issued a notice regarding the upcoming implementation of regulations to address benzene emissions from petrochemical facilities in Sarnia, Ontario.

In February 2024, the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health published the proposed Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (Storage and Loading of Volatile Petroleum Liquids) Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I. In order to expedite the application of certain provisions of these proposed regulations, the Minister of the Environment has issued the Interim Order Respecting Releases of Benzene from Petrochemical Facilities in Sarnia, Ontario under subsection 94(1) of the Act.

As required by subsection 94(5) of the Act, the Ministers must, within 90 days, publish a statement indicating whether they intend to recommend that a regulation with the same effect as the Interim Order be made under section 93. This notice confirms that the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health intend to recommend to the Governor in Council that a regulation be made to mirror the effects of the interim order under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

Next Steps

The final version of the Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (Storage and Loading of Volatile Petroleum Liquids) Regulations is expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in the winter of 2024-2025. Once finalized, these regulations will require petrochemical facilities to equip storage tanks containing high benzene content with emission controls within specified timeframes. The regulations will apply specifically to standalone petrochemical facilities.

During the 60-day public consultation period from February to April 2024, the Government of Canada gathered input on the proposed regulations from a diverse group of stakeholders, including provinces and territories, industry representatives, Indigenous communities, non-governmental organizations, and the general public. The feedback received is being carefully considered in the development of the final regulations to ensure that they effectively address environmental and public health concerns.

Commitment to Environmental Protection

This initiative underscores the Canadian government's dedication to reducing harmful emissions and protecting both the environment and public health. By targeting releases of benzene - a known hazardous air pollutant - the forthcoming regulations aim to improve air quality and reduce health risks associated with exposure to volatile organic compounds in the Sarnia region.