Order Declaring that the Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (Upstream Oil and Gas Sector) Do Not Apply in British Columbia, 2025 (SOR/2025-37)

Whereas, under subsection 332(1)Footnote ^a of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999Footnote ^b, the Minister of the Environment published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on June 29, 2024, a copy of the proposed Order Declaring that the Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (Upstream Oil and Gas Sector) Do Not Apply in British Columbia, 2025 and persons were given an opportunity to file comments with respect to the proposed Order or to file a notice of objection requesting that a board of review be established and stating the reasons for the objection;

• Return to footnote ^aS.C. 2023, c. 12, s. 55

• Return to footnote ^bS.C. 1999, c. 33

Whereas, on December 18, 2024, the Minister of the Environment and the Government of British Columbia entered into a written agreement referred to in subsection 10(3) of that Act to the effect that there are in force by or under the laws of British Columbia

• (a) provisions that are equivalent to the provisions of the Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (Upstream Oil and Gas Sector)Footnote ^c made under subsection 93(1)Footnote ^d of that Act, and

  • Return to footnote ^cSOR/2018-66

  • Return to footnote ^dS.C. 2023, c. 12, s. 33(1) to (6)

• (b) provisions that are similar to sections 17 to 20 of that Act for the investigation of alleged offences under environmental legislation of British Columbia;

Whereas, under subsections 10(4) and (5) of that Act, the Minister gave notice of the availability of that agreement in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on June 29, 2024, and persons were given an opportunity to file with the Minister comments or a notice of objection;

And whereas, under subsection 10(6) of that Act, the Minister published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 21, 2024, a notice of availability of a report that summarizes how any comments or notices of objection were dealt with;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of the Environment, makes the annexed Order Declaring that the Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (Upstream Oil and Gas Sector) Do Not Apply in British Columbia, 2025 under subsection 10(3) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999Footnote ^b.