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Enactment of any environmental policy should be followed by an evaluation of its efficacy to ensure optimal utilization of limited resources, yet measuring the success of these policies can be a challenging task owing to a dearth of data and confounding factors. We examine the efficacy of ballast water policies enacted to prevent biological invasions in the Laurentian Great Lakes. We utilize four criteria to assess the efficacy of this environmental regulation; (1) Is the prescribed management action demonstrably effective? (2) Is the management action effective under operational conditions? (3) Can compliance be achieved on a broad scale? (4) Are desired changes observed in the environment? The four lines of evidence resulting from this analysis indicate that the Great Lakes ballast water management program provides robust, but not complete, protection against ship-mediated biological invasions. Our analysis also indicates that corresponding inspection and enforcement efforts should be undertaken to ensure that environmental policies translate into increased environmental protection. Similar programs could be implemented immediately around the world to protect the biodiversity of the many freshwater ecosystems which receive ballast water discharges by international vessels. This general framework can be extended to evaluate efficacy of other environmental policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the planned closure of the research facility at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in Ontario, Canada. They argue that research in the ELA, particularly ecosystem-scale experiments and long-term ecological monitoring, has been instrumental for the development of Canadian environmental policies. Several examples are presented of significant ELA studies, including lake eutrophication, the impact of acidification on fish populations, and evidence of global climate change.

The article reports on the intention of the Canadian government to develop a plan to evaluate, regulate, restrict or ban the entire class of chemical compounds known as fluorotelomer polymers and their precursors. The chemical is widely used as stain repellents. The Environment Canada, the country's environmental regulator, beleives that fluorotelomer polymers are responsible for widespread environmental contamination by perfluorocarboxylates, a compound that has been linked to cancer and developmental effects in animal experiments.

This article reports that Environment Canada, Canada's environmental protection agency, has banned for at least two years three fluorinated polymers used as stain repellents. Regulators outside Canada are closely watching the move because it marks the first time any government has banned such chemicals. Canada acted on the basis of emerging science linking fluorotelomer alcohols, chemicals that are used to make stain repellents and that can be used as stain repellents themselves-to long-chain perfluorocarboxylates. The ban was initiated this summet after manufacturers asked to either begin or expand production of the three fluorinated polymers that contain telomer alcohols. Canada acted under the new chemicals provisions of the 1999 Canadian Environmental Protection Act, but the action was only made public this fall.

Focuses on Canada's Environment Canada's introduction of a pilot program aimed at applying biomolecular tools to environmental problems. Discovery of ways to monitor pollutants and conserve wildlife; Change in the way the environment is regulated; Utilization of genomics technology; Detection of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil using naturally occurring bacteria.

The article reports that the Canadian Supreme Court (SC) has decided to uphold the banning of pesticides used for aesthetic purposes on all lawns and gardens. The SC rejected an appeal from pesticide manufacturers regarding Toronto's pesticide law, which the group charge that it illegally twinned existing legislation. According to Theresa McClenaghan of Canadian Environmental Law Association, an environmental group, that the decision manifests that local governments have a responsibility to bring in prescribing pesticides uses.

The first comprehensive assessment of Canada's water supply finds that climate change will trigger water shortages and changes in delivery of fresh water to the Arctic Ocean. This change could have worldwide impacts, such as altering the deep ocean currents that drive global climate patterns. The increasing strength of floods, droughts, and severe storms in Canada over the past decade provided the impetus for the study, released in March from Environment Canada, the federal environmental protection agency.

Reports on Canada's launch of a program wherein the government buys greenhouse gas emission reductions from the private sector. Pledge under the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period; Budget of the Pilot Emission Removals, Reductions and Learnings program.

Reports on the benefits for developing nations of Canada's establishment of POPs Fund aimed at helping developing countries build their own capacity to manage the use of POP (persistent organic pollutants). Cost of the project.

Reports on Environment Canada's proposal to regulate the 12 chemicals or chemical classes known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Properties of POPs.