CVMA News Archive

Canada's automakers continue to make substantial reductions in targeted substances through voluntary pollution prevention.

Toronto, ON – 2002-12-19

Canada's largest automakers have shown their continued dedication toward pollution prevention initiatives through reduction of the use, generation, and release of toxic and other substances of concern according to a new report released by a government-industry task force on pollution prevention.

CVMA's Eighth Progress Report, May 2002. Link to the PDF version of the full report (Acrobat Reader required).

The Eighth Progress Report from the Task Force of the Canadian Automotive Manufacturing Pollution Prevention Project details the current success stories of the project, and provides a synopsis of the great achievements of the task force since its inception in 1992. More than 404,000 tonnes of toxic and targeted substances have been reduced or eliminated through the continued commitment of DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and General Motors to this proactive pollution prevention program. The companies continuously work internally, and with their suppliers, to further incorporate pollution prevention into their processes and as a foundation for future business planning.

"Our member companies are committed to a leadership role in pollution prevention. These companies all work hard to reduce or eliminate toxic and other substances of concern from their manufacturing operations – their continuing successes speak for themselves. Environmental stewardship remains a centre piece of DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and General Motors' continuous improvement philosophy and they take pride in their leadership role in pollution prevention," said Mark Nantais, President of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA).

The CVMA in cooperation with Environment Canada and Ontario Ministry of the Environment developed the first voluntary pollution prevention project in Canada in 1992. The project has reported great successes over its 10 year history and is the longest running voluntary pollution prevention project between two levels of government and industry.

"I commend the efforts of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association and their continued dedication to pollution prevention," said the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of Environment Canada. "We support industry efforts in programs such as this. This initiative demonstrates that environmental stewardship and good business practices go hand-in-hand."

"Preventing pollution from happening in the first place is the smartest way to improve the quality of our environment," Chris Stockwell, Ontario's Minister of the Environment. "I congratulate the CVMA Pollution Prevention Project task force on their success. Their work shows that focused cooperation between industry and government can create positive environmental outcomes. We look forward to building on this success and working with the CVMA on innovative endeavours in the future."

The Canadian Automotive Manufacturing Pollution Prevention Project serves as a model for other industry sectors, demonstrating that progressive, proactive efforts, voluntarily undertaken by the automotive industry, have successfully reduced pollution at its source. This is the final report for the CVMA Pollution Prevention Project under the current terms and condition of the Memorandum of Understanding. All involved remain truly committed to pollution prevention. Efforts are underway to develop a new voluntary partnership that will build upon the successes achieved since the groundbreaking efforts on this pollution prevention initiative.

For further information or a copy of the report contact:

Yasmin Tarmohamed
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
416.364.9333

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