Toxics Caucus

Mandate

In accordance with the Toxics Caucus’s mandate and Memorandum of Understanding with the New Brunswick Lung Association and Health Canada, the goal is to support Canadian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and disproportionately impacted populations to engage in chemicals management and environmental health initiatives.

The Caucus works toward Pollution Prevention and the Precautionary Principle in regard to toxic substances. The issues in which the caucus members are involved are primarily related to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). These include the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), New Substances, and assessments of substances declared toxic under CEPA. Caucus members are also engaged in the Review of CEPA.

What We Do

The Toxics Caucus brings together RCEN Members to build partnerships between those seeking action on chemicals management and the need to halt the pollution of Canada’s ecosystems and the associated risks to human health.

It provides a mechanism for member groups to communicate with each other on specific issues; to prepare joint briefs, submissions and strategies; to establish consultative relationships with other bodies; and to ensure that the voices of smaller groups are heard along with those of the larger national and provincial groups.

RCEN will implement their existing caucus structure within both our network and the Canadian Network for Human Health and the Environment (CNHHE) membership to create a Toxics Caucus.