Legislative and precautionary approaches to managing pharmaceutical contaminants in Canadian freshwaters

Pharmaceuticals are increasingly recognized as contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments due to their potential ecological impacts. In Canada, pharmaceutical pollution remains an under-regulated issue within federal chemical management policy. This study critically examines the extent to which Canada's Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), addresses the risks posed by pharmaceuticals in freshwater systems. Through a review of recent legislation and scientific information, the study identifies regulatory gaps, including limitations in current wastewater treatment practices and ecological risk assessments. The CMP sets out guidelines for assessing and managing chemicals under CEPA to minimize the risks posed by toxic substances. Despite scientific evidence of toxicity to aquatic ecosystems, relatively few pharmaceuticals have been assessed under the CMP. This article explores how Canada's multi-level governments can strengthen pharmaceutical pollution governance, particularly in light of the 2023 legislative amendments to CEPA. Drawing on comparative insights from the European Union, the study emphasizes the need to integrate expanded pharmaceutical screening criteria, enhanced monitoring, and revised persistence and bioaccumulation thresholds into the CMP framework. These improvements would enable Canada to adopt a more adaptive and precautionary approach to managing pharmaceutical pollution in aquatic ecosystems while contributing to global efforts that advance sustainable water management practices.