News release

Nova Scotia Marking Clean Air Day With Action

Environment and Climate Change

The Province is making regulatory changes to help ensure the air Nova Scotians breathe is clean and healthy and that industrial noise does not impact people’s well-being.

Consultation on provincial Air Quality Regulations begins today, June 8, Clean Air Day. The focus is on the standards that are used to ensure industrial emissions have minimal impact on air quality.

“Our industries provide valuable jobs and economic opportunities throughout our province – we want to work with them to update these regulations to ensure ongoing sustainable development that protects our environment while helping both our economy and our people to thrive,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Updated, clear, modern environmental standards that are based on the latest science will help ensure Nova Scotia is a clean, healthy place to live, work and do business.”

The Department will have targeted consultation with the following stakeholders:

  • industries and businesses that produce air emissions
  • businesses that have an industrial approval to operate in Nova Scotia
  • industry professional associations and consultants
  • the Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists
  • lung healthcare specialists
  • the Lung Association of Nova Scotia
  • Cystic Fibrosis Canada – Atlantic Office
  • environmental stewardship organizations
  • municipalities
  • the Halifax Chamber of Commerce
  • the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia.

Other interested Nova Scotians can offer input by sending an email to air@novascotia.ca or filling in the general feedback form at: https://novascotia.ca/ambient-air-quality-standards-public-engagement/

The regulatory update will also take into account new World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines and the most current science.

Nova Scotia’s Guidelines for Noise Measurement and Assessment will also be updated to better protect Nova Scotians from industrial noise. These guidelines were last updated in 1990. The Department will look at new science for how industrial noise is assessed and how it impacts well-being. Targeted stakeholder engagement will begin later this year.

Quotes:

“Clean air is integral to healthy lungs. We’re pleased the provincial government is taking these measures to ensure our air is clean and healthy, allowing all Nova Scotians to breathe easier. We look forward to collaborating with the Province on these important regulations.”

– Robert MacDonald, President and CEO, Lung Association of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

“Clean air is an important part of healthy childhood development but incredibly important for children living with a chronic illness. We are committed to support the efforts our province is taking to ensure the best air quality. This is one of the most important strategies to construct health equity for everybody.”

– Dr. Dimas Mateos, Pediatric Respirologist, IWK Health Centre

Quick Facts:

  • June 8 is Clean Air Day in Canada, a time to raise awareness of the importance of good air quality for health, a clean environment and a strong economy
  • updating the Province’s ambient air quality standards is a commitment in the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, which was passed last fall; ensuring Nova Scotians have clean air to breathe is a primary goal in the act
  • all businesses and industries in the province that require environmental approvals are regulated by Nova Scotia’s ambient air quality standards
  • this will be the first update of the standards since the introduction of the Air Quality Regulations in 1995
  • the World Health Organization released revised air quality guidelines on September 22, 2021, the first major update to these global standards in more than 15 years

Additional Resources:

Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/64th_1st/3rd_read/b057.htm

Information on World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines: https://www.who.int/news/item/22-09-2021-new-who-global-air-quality-guidelines-aim-to-save-millions-of-lives-from-air-pollution

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