Northern Contaminants Program

**What are contaminants?** Contaminants are chemicals that don’t break-down very easily, enter the environment, and make their way into food sources. Some contaminants occur naturally, while others are the by-product of human activities, such as industry. Both can negatively impact the environment and human health. **Regional Contaminants Committees** In recognition of the harmful impact of contaminants in sensitive Northern regions, five Regional Contaminants Committees were established to better understand contaminants and support decision-makers on issues concerning the environment and human health. Each regional hub provides advice to an oversight organization called the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP), under Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC). The NCP coordinates Canada’s action on northern contaminants—including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury—both nationally and internationally. The NCP is a multidisciplinary initiative—funded by the Government of Canada—addressing health, science, and communications issues related to contaminants in Canada’s Arctic. The NCP provides secretariat support to the regional committees, releases annual contaminants research and communications, conducts monitoring, and provides funding through an annual call for proposals.