As you read this, the last slivers of old growth forests in BC are being logged, whales are being poisoned by pollutants from industries, and salmon populations are imperilled on both coasts due to overfishing and habitat loss. [1] [2] [3]
Canadians overwhelmingly value nature and want to see it protected. In fact, polling found that over 80% of Canadians support expanding land and ocean protection, with many calling for more government action to make it happen. [4] And yet, exploitative industries continue to destroy it with zero regard for Indigenous rights and sovereignty.
Corporations get away with appalling behaviour because Canadian policy protects the polluter. As long as this remains the case, Canadian law is broken.
To fix it, we need a strong federal nature law that protects the rich ecosystems of Canada. This law must respect Indigenous sovereignty, ensure public accountability, and establish firm nature protection targets. [5]
Last year, the Liberal government introduced the Nature Accountability Act (Bill C-73) in an attempt to address the biodiversity crisis. [6] But with parliament prorogued, its future is uncertain. This election, all political parties must commit to reintroducing—and strengthening—legislation that truly safeguards nature.
Let’s not sacrifice nature in the midst of changing leadership in Canada. Tell federal parties to make a strong nature law a priority in their platforms.
Call on all federal parties to include a STRONG nature law in their platforms—one that respects Indigenous rights, sets real nature protection targets, and holds polluters accountable.
Sources:
[1] Endangered Caribou in Canada, The Narwhal
[2] Wild Atlantic salmon conservation: Implementation plan 2019 to 2021, Government of Canada
[3] Orcas off Canada’s East Coast threatened by ‘forever chemicals’, November 2023, The Narwhal
[4] Public Attitudes to the Logging Industry, November 2024, EKOS
[5] Nature bill welcome, needs work to ensure Canada meets its targets, June 2024, Greenpeace Canada
[6] 2030 Nature Strategy and Nature Accountability Bill, Government of Canada
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