Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a $3.8 billion funding initiative on Tuesday to safeguard nature, part of the government’s efforts to achieve its conservation objectives. Alongside public funding, the government is looking to attract private sector investments to support the conservation plan, including establishing new national parks and marine reserves.
During a press conference in Wakefield, Quebec, Carney emphasized the need for substantial funding to realize the ambitious goal of creating these protected areas, stating that public funds alone would not be sufficient. The government’s target is to conserve 30% of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030, with the current protected land area in Canada standing at 14%.
The conservation targets were set by the Trudeau administration following the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal in 2022. Concerns have been raised by environmental groups in recent months regarding the government’s lack of long-term funding commitments to align with its conservation aspirations.
Carney outlined that the new funds would be allocated across three key areas: protecting nature, enhancing Canada’s infrastructure, and promoting sustainable practices. Immediate plans include establishing the Wiinipaawk Indigenous Protected Area and National Marine Conservation Area in eastern James Bay, Quebec, as well as the Seal River Watershed National Park in Manitoba. Additionally, the government will implement “other effective area-based conservation measures” that allow for some activities while conserving land and water.
The initiative aims to create up to 14 new marine-protected and conserved areas, along with up to 10 new marine conservation areas. Notably, marine areas such as Sarvarjuaq and Qikiqtait in the Arctic are slated to protect polar bear, walrus, and beluga whale populations. If these new protected marine areas are established, they would cover 12% of Canada’s waters, bringing the total protected water area to 28%.
Acknowledging the existing gap, Carney expressed determination to bridge it, emphasizing the government’s commitment to achieving its conservation targets. However, the federal Conservatives criticized the announcement, labeling it as mere “illusions” and raising concerns about the government’s track record in meeting environmental goals.
