The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) is an influential body in Canada, proposing environmental policies and initiatives supporting its mandate to protect Canada's environment. The CCME is made up of 14 environment ministers from federal, provincial and territorial governments (CCME, 2007; Environment Canada, 2004).

The CCME addresses interjurisdictional environmental issues such as air pollution, water quality, toxic chemicals and waste management. It proposes nationally-consistent environmental standards and guidelines, but cannot implement or enforce these standards and guidelines on its members. For any standard or guideline to become enforceable, it must be incorporated into legislation, either new or amended.