The purpose of Metro Vancouver's air quality regulatory program is to deliver fair, efficient and effective regulatory services to support the region’s air quality management plan through the administration of bylaws which includes the issuance of permits, compliance promotion and enforcement. The regulation of emissions from industrial, commercial and institutional stationary sources aims to minimize emissions, thereby avoiding adverse health impacts and environmental degradation.

Industrial and commercial air contaminants
Under Air Quality Management Bylaw No. 1082, Metro Vancouver uses a permitting system to manage the nature and quantity of air emissions from large emitters of air contaminants. In addition, Air Quality Management Fees Regulation Bylaw No. 1083 details the calculation of fees payable by permit holders.

Please note that earlier this year the GVRD Board of Directors passed an amendment to GVRD Air Quality Management Fees Bylaw No. 1083 that included an increase in the unit rate for Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, effective January 1, 2011. Permit holders who pay fees for VOC emissions will see a change in total annual fees payable as a result of this amendment.

Industrial and commercial operations are charged a fee to fully cover the costs of monitoring and the compliance process as well as to provide an incentive for reducing emissions. Air Quality Management Fees Regulation Bylaw No. 1083 details the calculation of fees payable by permit holders.  For those permitted industry who wish to continue to participate in the Measured Discharge Program, the Application Form must be submitted annually by March 31st to be eligible.

Air Quality Permits
Metro Vancouver maintains a list of active air quality permits.

 Signed copies of active air quality permits are available here.

Compliance monitoring
All Permittees are required to properly maintain emission control works and follow procedures required to reduce emissions. Certain permittees are required to perform stack testing at specified times and submit reports to determine whether these companies are complying with the terms of their permit. Others are required to submit Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) data.

 Access to recent test results are available.

Enforcement
Metro Vancouver officers are responsible for ensuring businesses operate within the terms of the Bylaw and permits. If a company exceeds these terms, Metro Vancouver has several regulatory options. Compliance can be promoted through non-punitive measures such as:

• work co-operatively with the company to address the reasons for non-compliance
• request the permit holder take immediate corrective action
• issue a warning, or
• issue an order to prevent or abate pollution which may include conducting specific studies and implementing plans to prevent future occurrences.

However, Metro Vancouver also has punitive measures that may be warranted in some cases, such as:

• issue a ticket
• initiate legal action which may result in court-imposed fines, or
• cancel the permit.

The issuance of tickets is an effective alternative to legal action through the courts for some offences. The GVRD Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1050, 2006, as amended, includes fines ranging from $250 to $1000 for less serious Air Quality regulatory bylaw infractions.  

Grandview-Woodlands Neighbourhood – Rendering Plant Odour Management
Metro Vancouver is working to improve air quality in the Grandview Woodlands area with particular emphasis on odour impacts.

In response to ongoing concerns regarding odour from the West Coast Reduction rendering plant Metro Vancouver’s Regulation and Enforcement division continues to work with residents and West Coast Reduction to reduce odorous emissions from this facility.

Emission regulations
Emission regulations are used as an alternative to issuing site-specific permits to manage the air emissions from certain types of individual industrial, commercial or institutional sources. The limits and restrictions established under these regulations can be specific, like a permit, or more general. Industries currently covered by emission regulations include:

*This is a consolidated version - for the legal version please view Bylaw 1098 (above) or obtain a copy through the Corporate Secretary’s Office.

If you require further information or have any questions regarding the Emission Regulation Bylaw and how to comply with them, please contact us by phone at 604-432-6200 or email us.

If you would like further information about Metro Vancouver's Air Quality Regulatory program, please contact us by phone at 604-432-6200 or by email at regulationenforcement@metrovancouver.org.