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CPCA CORNER

Paint & Coatings Issues in Canada

BY GARY LEROUX

Covid-19 and Canada’s Economic Rebound: As Canada’s ically as an essential service given the make-up of its
economy continues to open up, things are getting back to many products such as antiviral coatings used for essential
normal. However, there are now widespread calls for the PPE and medical equipment, including ventilators. Other
federal government to do two important things: 1) focus examples include waterproofing coatings, which are
on a strategy for economic renewal and growth to address essential in preventing “Sick Building Syndrome” including
ongoing challenges to Canada’s competitiveness, produc- mould-mildew buildup. These products are also used for
tivity and direct foreign investment; and 2) recognize that remediation projects in existing facilities such as nursing
fiscal capacity is limited and there must be a clear fiscal homes, hospitals and other areas where public health is
plan to rein in federal spending and control growing debt. critical. Coatings are applied to consumer goods and
Both are underlying conditions for a strong economy. packaging, which is essential to sustain the integrity, sta-
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Business bility and security of the final products. Such packaging
Council of Canada, arguably the largest voices for industry ensures nutritious food can get to the public unharmed
in the country, continue to impress upon the federal gov- and at reasonable prices, including for vulnerable
ernment the need to create a fiscal plan before committing populations, and is especially important in times like we
further spending. In addition, The Task Force for Real Jobs, are experiencing today.
Real Recovery, a coalition of industry associations, labour, Working together on better policy and more agile chem-
Indigenous organizations, and others including the Chamber ical regulations, industry and government will be able to
of Commerce, has focused on “Securing Canada’s Economic turn the corner and get to a stronger economy sooner
Future,” recommending important measures for Canada’s than later.
economy including “leveraging Canada’s world-class Success in Getting Paint Surplus Returned to Paint
industries, advancing regulatory efficiency, attracting capital Companies in Ontario: Over the past several months,
investment, and enhancing critical infrastructure.” CPCA was involved in an extensive advocacy effort that
A recent report from the group recommends two culminated in the Environment Minister issuing a direction
critical approaches needed to stabilize the economy: letter to Stewardship Ontario to return 100 percent of the
1) a commitment to evidence, science and outcomes-based surplus funds to paint stewards that accumulated in over-
impact assessment for all policies and regulations; and 2) charges by Stewardship Ontario pre-2015. Those efforts
the need to advance more agile regulations over more resulted in approximately $15 million in surplus funds
rigid and highly prescriptive regulations. This approach being turned over to paint companies in Ontario, CPCA
harkens back to the past commitment by recent Treasury members and non-members. More than half of those funds
Board President, Hon. Scott Brison, to rein in bloated and have been returned to the paint companies and the balance
outdated federal regulations stifling Canada’s economy. will be returned before year-end.
That effort seems to have fizzled but must be put back on Ontario MECP Transitioning MHSW to Full Producer
the government’s agenda as part of Canada’s recovery. Responsibility: Ontario is in the process of transitioning
These measures will be very important for the paint the waste diversion program for Municipal Hazardous or
and coatings sector as the federal government seeks to Special Waste to full producer responsibility. The proposal
renew the existing Chemicals Management Plan assessing for the new MHSW regulation will be released early in the
chemicals of concern in commerce. They must rely on fall for public consultation, with the goal of finalizing the
the risk-based approach to chemicals management that regulation June 30, 2021. CPCA participated in the initial
has served the government and Canada well to date. In consultation and made a formal submission to the Ministry
fact, it has been a world-leading approach as other na- of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) at the
tional jurisdictions have adopted a similar regime for their end of July. The new regulation is looking at definitions of
chemical assessments. This rigorous approach recognizes materials and responsible persons; management and stan-
that chemicals are critical ingredients used in literally tens dards; promotion and education; collection and consumer
of thousands of products every day and a risk-based accessibility; and registration, reporting and auditing. CPCA
approach ensures the protection required for both human made a formal submission to the MECP on all of these
health and the environment. items and continues to work toward a reasonable and fair
We have seen how important those products are in the regulation for all, especially the obligated stewards, the
case of coatings, and other sectors, during the pandemic. paint companies who must pay 100 percent of the costs
Public Safety Canada designated paint and coatings specif- and meet waste recovery targets for paint.

12 Canadian Finishing & Coatings ManuFaCturing septeMber/oCtober 2020