Canadian Legislative Updates

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Government of Canada Releases Results of Gasoline and Fuel Review

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Federal Minister of the Environment, has released the results of a joint industry and government review of the quality of Canadian gasoline and diesel fuel.  Released on October 13, the report highlights that Canadians have access to high quality fuel.

Minister Prentice reiterated that the government remains committed to reducing emissions from the transportation sector, which accounts for 22 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.  The superior quality of Canada's fuel will help to reduce vehicle emissions.

At the request of Minister Prentice, and developed by a joint Technical Working group, the report showcased analysis on four fuel quality parameters related to on-road gasoline and diesel:

1. Sulphur in gasoline
2. Deposit control additives in gasoline
3. Lubricity in diesel
4. Cetane number in diesel

Results show that the quality of Canadian gasoline and diesel is high, and equal to, or better than current U.S. quality in three of the four parameters studied.  Key results and recommendations include:

• Both Canada and the U.S. should work together to study further reductions of sulphur levels in gasoline, which could improve air quality in Canada.
• Environment Canada and Health Canada will assess the impacts of the small quality gap between Canada and the U.S. for Deposit Control Additives.
• No further action in Canada is recommended on the cetane number or lubricity of diesel since Canadian diesel is equal to or better that that of the U.S. in these areas.