Friends of the Earth say it’s a win for the ozone layer globally and energy efficiency in Ontario
Toronto – As governments from across the globe prepare to meet next week in Montreal to debate more ozone layer protection, Canadian environmentalists and industry leaders are celebrating a milestone in regulating ozone-destroying chemicals.
“It is a cause for some celebration to note that the largest remaining use of CFCs, that of commercial chillers, will be closed out by the biggest user province, Ontario,” says Beatrice Olivastri, Chief Executive Officer, Friends of the Earth. “With more than 3,000 CFC using chiller still across Canada, Ontario has half of them. The change out is a win for the ozone layer globally and for the energy efficiency in Ontario.”
Based on the Canadian National Action Plan to protect the ozone layer, provinces are required to regulate the management of ozone depleting chemicals including measures to prohibit the refill of CFC chillers and to require collection and disposal of the CFCs. British Columbia was first in line to announce its regulation while Ontario has become the latest to adhere to the plan. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have not yet produced their regulation.
“After five years of operating a voluntary extended producer responsibility program to collect and dispose of CFCs, it’s time to level the playing field,” says Warren Heeley, President of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada. “All industry players need to commit to this program, and regulation will make it happen.”
Despite some progress on ozone layer recovery, last year’s Antarctic ozone hole was the biggest ever, measuring 24 million square kilometers, which is nearly as large as North America. “We must insist on compliance with every measure of the Montreal Protocol,” says Ms. Olivastri. “Now that we’re finishing the job on CFCs in Canada, its time to target halons―the fire protection industry must clean up their ozone destroying legacy.” Canadians can join FOE in campaigning on halons by going to www.ozonelayer.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth 613 241-0085 x 26 /613 724-8690 (cellular)
Warren Heeley, President, HRAI 905 602-4700 extension 227
ODS Regulation Announcements:
British Columbia
June 2004
Alberta
August 2004
PEI
October 2004
Quebec
January 2005
Newfoundland
May 2005
Saskatchewan
November 2005
Manitoba
December 2005
Ontario
announcement June 2006
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