Good evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.

I am here on behalf of Dow Canada. Dow operates in over 30 countries. We strive to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable material science company in the world. Given our global footprint, our company has a great deal of experience on the issues of chemicals management around the world.

Bill S-5 does a lot of crucial things, but the most important is that it sets the stage for the next phase of chemicals management in Canada. True to the CMP's history, it mandates that the ministers engage with stakeholders to establish a new set of assessment and management priorities. The ongoing engagement with stakeholders is key to ensuring that Canadians have confidence in the products they use every day and are assured that the safe management of substances is being carried out by the ministers. The “dear ministers” clause created in proposed subsection 76(1) is a new tool for establishing that confidence and complements existing information-gathering provisions in the act.

The ministers will also engage with Canadians on incorporating into the administration of CEPA their right to a healthy environment. Who better than Canadians themselves to engage in that discussion?

Without delving too deeply into the substantive debates at second reading, there were many points raised by all parties that we would be pleased to offer comments on. Whether it's the so-called watch-list, the new bifurcated schedule 1, the demands that Bill S-5 places on confidential business information, and the Senate's suggestions, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have about these subjects.

How a substance is sent or added to schedule 1, part 1—the substances of highest risk—is an important discussion and requires extensive consultation. Knowing that a priority will be given to prohibition, we must create a system that recognizes the role of transformative chemistry in the economy.

Dow would support an amendment that would add precision to those substance designations to ensure that only the substances that are truly a risk are captured in this list. I would welcome questions from MPs on the perils of using hazard markers for substance deselection without appropriate scientific context and exceptions.

On the issue of confidential business information, I want to be clear that industry has no issue providing information confidentially to the government. We are confident that the government will use that information to protect the health and safety of Canadians and preserve its confidentiality. Changes in this space may not have their intended impact but could certainly benefit our competitors. We urge the committee to be mindful of this as it considers this bill.

Finally, I'd like to flag the so-called watch-list that is being proposed by the ministers. It's redundant and a marked departure from the risk-based approach. If the government wants to send a message to industry about the use of a substance, a “significant new activity” notice accomplishes this task by requiring industry to obtain permission from the government before a substance is approved for new use or significantly increased volumes. That speaks loudly, I can assure you. I would implore this committee to consider an off-ramp for that clause.

I would welcome your questions.

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