What is being done to manage mercury?

Mercury has been characterized as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). This requires a management program for emissions from human activities. The Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME) is establishing standards for a number of emission sources, including coal-fired electricity generation. 

Eastern provinces are signatories to a Mercury Action Plan to reduce mercury emissions under the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. Canada is a signatory to a North American Regional Action Plan (NARAP) under the Commission for Environmental Co-operation. The United States Environmental Protection Agency must propose a Draft Rule for control of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by December 2003, with the final form being completed and circulated to stakeholders in December 2004.