Response to Recommendations
Mercury
13. Governments and business apply incentive-based approaches to identify and eliminate specific uses of mercury.
As part of the discussions with the USA and Mexico under the NAFTA-CEC initiative for the sound management of chemicals, Canada has proposed a supportive position towards incentive-based approaches. This position is now under detailed review by federal departments and the public as part of the Mercury North American Regional Action Plan (NA-RAP) stakeholder consultation process.
Taking into account the risk of release into the environment, Canada's position, when adopted, would support programs and consider incentives to encourage the substitution and phase-out of mercury use in products or processes. Substitutes should be cost effective and must pose less risk than the original mercury-containing product or process.
It is noted that any such support must respect the "polluter pays" principle, and would focus on the promotion of technology development and demonstration, pollution prevention planning, and clean technologies. In addition, public education material and government purchasing policies may be used as incentives for innovative approaches that support effective substitution and phase-out of mercury use in products and processes.
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