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Regional Report to WCC October 16, 2014 Marion Axmith, Executive Director. Canadian Chlorine Chemistry Council. Mandate Stakeholder Outreach Issues Advocacy World Chlorine Council. C4 Mandate.
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Regional Report to WCC October 16, 2014 Marion Axmith, Executive Director
Canadian Chlorine Chemistry Council • Mandate • Stakeholder Outreach • Issues • Advocacy • World Chlorine Council
C4 Mandate • An alliance of associations & companies committed to the responsible manufacture & use of chlorine • Facilitates dialogue & enables informed, science-based public policy decisions in Canada
Stakeholder Outreach • To support & promote safe drinking water disinfection with chlorination. • Ten events conferences tradeshows per year • Stakeholders Public Health Inspectors; First Nations/Aboriginal groups; Canadian Water & Wastewater Association; Pool & Hot Tub Council; Canadian Association of Chemical Distributors; Government – Health Canada, Environment Canada • Direct engagement ~1,500 – 2,000 stakeholders
Stakeholder Outreach • National First Nations Infrastructure Conference “Drinking Water Chlorination” presentation • Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corp. Water Symposium on Drinking Water Quality • CWWA Conferences on Wastewater Research, Drinking Water, Government Trends • CACD Emergency Preparedness Day – 400 students/teachers/parents • CI Conference & WCC Meetings • C4/CCD Meetings • Assembly of First Nations; Heath Canada; CWWA & CIAC
PMRA Registration of Chlorine • Registration of chlorine for wastewater treatment • Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (Health Canada) • Raised by a regional officer at an Ontario Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2013 • Chlorine has never been registered as a pesticide in Canada • Awaiting decision by PMRA’s Science Management Committee as to whether chlorine will require registration for this application
Issue – Rail Safety • Tragic oil train derailment & explosion in Lac-Mégantic, Québec July ‘13 claimed 47 lives • $200 million spent so far on clean up + costs rebuilding of town, class action lawsuits, etc. • Criminal charges filed against 3 railway staff • Transport Canada launched review of nation’s rail liability, insurance & compensation regime (CI & CIAC have responded to Govt. review) • Jan. ‘14 Transport Canada proposed new regulations for DOT 111 tank cars to incl. thicker steel, additional fittings & head shield protection • Aug. ‘14 Transportation Safety Board filed Report which cites 18 factors contributing to the accident. Recommendations include: • Better securement of unattended trains • More thorough audits of safety management systems to manage safety • Link to TSB Report: http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/rail/2013/R13D0054.pdf
Communications • C4 letters on safe storage and handling of pool chemicals sent to hospitals, hotels, fire departments, municipalities, etc. in response to incidents outlined in Chlorine Watch • C4 letter re: Norovirus Posters sent to Vancouver Hospital following norovirus outbreak • Water Quality & Health Council articles published in Canada incl: • Fred Reiff’s“Battling Biofilms in Aging Water Infrastructure” published in two Newsletters Jan. ‘14 & Spring 2014 • “The Article on Pool Chemical Safety Video in The Chemunicator - Summer CACD Magazine • C4 Ad created for CWWA Conference Program on “Chlorinated drinking water has helped keep Canadians safe for more than 100 years. Here’s to the next 100 years!” • Norovirus Posters now available in English/French/Spanish posted on C4 website • Pool Chemical Safety video translated into French • C4 website updated
Advocacy • To advocate with Government on policy & regulatory developments to enable officials to make responsible and informed decisions about chlorine chemistry. • Maintain relationships with Industry Coordinating Group (ICG) on Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) & monitor Chemical Management Plan – no serious concerns related to chlorine substances currently • ICG’s CEPA Update Conference http://cepa-icg.ca • Govt Chemicals Management Plan Progress Report can be accessed through link: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ese-ees/default.asp?lang=En&n=5C49C89D-1 • Maintain relationships with Health Canada, Environment Canada, Transport Canada, as required • C4 & CCD Meeting with Health Canada in April/14
World Chlorine Council (WCC) • Support WCC’s Strategic Plan & goals • Participate in the WCC Global Advocacy & Science Team (GAST) focused on Stockholm, Rotterdam & Basel Conventions; UNEP Mercury Program & Minamata Convention; chlorine & asthma/disinfection by-products; UN Sustainable Development Goals in post- 2015 agenda • Government of Canada has formed a MinamataConvention Working Group
Contact Information Marion Axmith, Executive Director Canadian Chlorine Chemistry Council 4 Forest Ridge Drive Toronto, Ontario, M6B 1H1 Canada Telephone: 416.456.4619 Email:marionaxmith@rogers.com Web: http://www.cfour.org