Canada's Parliament Votes for MMT Ban

12/06/96

Reuters reports that Canada's House of Commons, the lower chamber of its Parliament, passed a bill on Monday that would prohibit the use of the controversial gasoline additive MMT by banning the import and interprovincial trade of the chemical. The vote took place after the country's Liberal government forced an end to debate and called for a vote. Oppostion parties had repeatedly introducing amendments to the bill to stall its passage.

MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl) is an octane enhancer that has been used as a replacement for lead in Canadian gasoline since 1977. The chemical boosts octane and reduces emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, but contains manganese, a potential neurotoxin that might retard human brain development. Other octane enhancers are available.

The only Canadian importer and manufacturer of MMT is Ethyl Canada, a subsidiary of the U.S.'s Richmond, Va.-based Ethyl Corporation. Two months ago Ethyl threatened the Canadian government with a $200 million lawsuit under NAFTA in an attempt to stop the bill.

Ethyl Canada president David Wilson said "the battle is far from over" and vowed to take his company's case to Canada's Senate, which must approve the bill before it becomes law.

A coalition of health groups, environmentalists and automakers supports the ban on MMT. Carmakers say MMT interferes with car diagnostic systems, while others warn that manganese is a potential neurotoxin that might hurt human brain development.

Mark Nantais, president of the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers' Association commented on the bill's passage: "We congratulate the government for achieving progress on passing Bill C-29."

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel