Unceded Algonquin Territory – Ottawa, ON September 21, 2021 — Nature Canada is optimistic about the opportunity to work with Prime Minister Trudeau’s second minority government.
“An overwhelming majority of Canadians voted for a party that had a plan to protect and restore nature and now they’ll expect to see cooperation on the urgent actions needed to address the crises of nature loss and climate change,” says Gauri Sreenivasan, Director of Campaigns and Policy at Nature Canada. “We look forward to working with the Liberal government and all parliamentarians to get the job done.”
The Liberals election platform included the creation of 10 new national parks, 10 new national marine conservation areas, and 15 new national urban parks. They also promised to work with Indigenous partners to support new Indigenous Guardians programs and establish more Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. The Liberal government previously committed to planting 2 Billion trees to fight climate change and protect nature and their election platform included additional funding for nature-based climate solutions in communities across Canada.
While nature protection and restoration didn’t grab headlines during the campaign, all the parties raised their level of ambition reflecting the nature community’s calls for a credible plan to halt and reverse nature loss. It’s never been more important for Parliamentarians to work together for land and ocean protection, Indigenous leadership, natural climate solutions and environmental justice. Nature Canada is optimistic that the parties will be able to find common ground and advance an ambitious agenda to address the biodiversity and climate crisis.
“It’s all about accountability now,” says Hannah Dean, Organizing Director at Nature Canada who works with a network of over 1,000 nature advocacy groups in Nature Canada’s Nature Network. “A minority government gives Nature lovers the opportunity to apply real pressure and ensure that this government makes good on it’s campaign promises. Maybe even give them reason to do better!”
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For more information contact:
Scott Mullenix
media@naturecanada.ca
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