Canada-US transboundary notifications

Under the 1991 Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement, Canada and the U.S. committed to notify each other concerning proposals that could cause significant transboundary air pollution. The Parties have been notifying each other of sources of pollution within 100 kilometres (km) or 62 miles of the border since 1994.

This notification application form provides the information to fulfil Canada's obligation under Article V of the Canada/U.S. Air Quality Agreement.

The form needs to be completed for any new air pollution source located within 100 km of the Canada/U.S. border that is expected to emit greater than 90 tonnes per year of any one of the common air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), total suspended particulates (TSP) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), where VOCs are defined as compounds containing at least one carbon atom, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and chlorofluorocarbons.

Notification is also required for major modifications of existing facilities which would result in an increase of 40 or more tonnes per year of one or more common pollutants. With respect to hazardous air pollutants, Notification is required if a new source, or a modification of an existing source, results in a release of greater than 1 tonne per year of any one hazardous air pollutant.

For the purposes of Notification, a hazardous air pollutant is any substance in the National Pollutant Release Inventory that is not categorized as a criteria air contaminant (or common air pollutant) . If the proposed facility does not meet the Notification criteria, there is no requirement to complete and return the form to Environment Canada.

Transboundary notifications

Related links

Other federal registries for projects not captured by the notification requirements

For the list of U.S. notifications

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