In 2022, Canada played a crucial role in hosting a significant UN nature summit in Montreal, where the Liberal government spearheaded efforts to secure a global agreement on safeguarding ecosystems. Nations unanimously committed to conserving 30% of the world’s lands and oceans. Canada, in alignment with this commitment, set a target to achieve this goal by 2030 by significantly increasing the current number of protected areas.
Fast forward three years, the situation has taken a different turn. Steven Guilbeault, the former environmental minister instrumental in negotiating the Montreal agreement, resigned from the cabinet due to new initiatives promoting the expansion of oil and gas resources. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent budget lacks substantial emphasis on nature, with the government focusing more on large-scale resource projects.
This shift in focus has raised concerns among environmental organizations and others that the current government’s actions may backtrack on the progress made in nature conservation efforts. Various initiatives, including the establishment of new national parks and protected areas, as well as support for the Indigenous guardians program, are now facing uncertainties.
“I think there is a very real concern that biodiversity is not being prioritized in decision-making processes related to new infrastructure developments,” expressed James Snider, vice president of science, knowledge, and innovation at WWF-Canada. He warned about the risk of repeating past mistakes instead of envisioning a future where environmental and economic interests align.
Canada is currently only halfway towards achieving its 30% lands and oceans protection target, necessitating a doubling of the protected areas within the country in the next five years. Despite promises made during the recent federal election campaign to bolster conservation efforts, including the establishment of new national and urban parks, and expanding the Indigenous guardians program, the federal budget does not explicitly allocate new funding towards these initiatives.
Advocates stress the importance of investing in nature alongside economic development, highlighting the economic benefits that nature provides. They are closely monitoring the government’s actions, especially as ongoing conservation projects, such as research, community consultations, and planning activities, are vital for the establishment of parks and conservation areas but require sustained financial support.
Valérie Courtois, executive director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, emphasized the need for Canada to lead by example in demonstrating effective conservation practices and providing global leadership. She underlined the importance of Indigenous-led conservation efforts and the positive impact of involving community members in such initiatives.
The future of conservation projects, including the Seal River watershed in Manitoba, a new national park in the South Okanagan, and the Peel River watershed in Yukon, hangs in the balance as funding uncertainties loom. Schwartz highlighted the critical need for financial backing to ensure the successful completion of these projects.
Despite the challenges, Courtois remains hopeful for the extension of funding for the Indigenous guardians program beyond the looming deadline. The program, first introduced as a pilot project in 2017 and later extended with $100 million in funding, plays a vital role in empowering Indigenous communities to engage in conservation work.
When questioned about support for Indigenous-led programs and conservation efforts, Environment and Climate Change Canada reiterated the government’s commitment to partnering with various stakeholders to achieve conservation targets without specifying direct support for Indigenous-led initiatives.
