Should Gasoline Refiners Get More Time to Meet Sulphur Limits?
Official title: Proposed Regulations Amending the Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations
Canada limits how much sulphur can be in gasoline because it causes air pollution. Some refineries can't meet the current 10 parts-per-million limit without a credit trading system that lets them offset higher-sulphur batches. That system expires at the end of 2025. The government wants to extend it until 2030 while it figures out a permanent solution.
Why This Matters
Drive a car? The sulphur in your gas affects air quality. Higher sulphur means more pollution from your tailpipe and can damage your car's emission controls. This decision balances cleaner air against keeping gas available at the pump. If refineries can't comply, some regions could face fuel shortages.
What Could Change
Refineries would get five more years to trade sulphur credits, letting them offset batches that exceed the 10 ppm limit. This means slightly higher sulphur emissions in some regions short-term. The government is also working on a permanent credit system as part of a consolidated fuel regulation.
Key Issues
- Should the sulphur credit trading system be extended until 2030?
- Should refiners be allowed to transfer credits accumulated under the expired system?
- Are the potential air quality impacts acceptable during the transition period?
How to Participate
- Read the full proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette to understand the technical details of the sulphur credit trading system.
- Submit your comments through the Canada Gazette comment system by February 11, 2026.