In 2022, Canada hosted a significant UN nature summit in Montreal, spearheaded by the Liberal government to advocate for a global agreement on safeguarding ecosystems. During the summit, nations committed to preserving 30% of the world’s lands and oceans. Canada made a promise to achieve this target by 2030 by significantly increasing the current amount of protected areas.
Fast forward three years, the situation has taken a different turn. Steven Guilbeault, the former environmental minister instrumental in securing the Montreal deal, has resigned from the cabinet due to new efforts to expand oil and gas development. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s initial budget barely touches on nature, with the government focusing more on major resource ventures.
This shift has raised concerns among environmental groups and others who fear that the Carney administration’s change in direction may undo the progress made in nature conservation. Several initiatives are now in doubt, including the establishment of new national parks and protected areas, as well as federal backing for the “win-win” Indigenous guardians program, which trains and employs individuals from Indigenous communities to conduct conservation and research activities on their ancestral lands.
“I think there is a very real concern that biodiversity is not being prioritized in decision-making related to new infrastructure,” remarked James Snider, vice president of science, knowledge, and innovation at WWF-Canada. “And we risk repeating past mistakes instead of envisioning a future where the environment and economy work hand in hand.”
Canada is currently only halfway towards its 30% lands and oceans protection objective, necessitating a doubling of the protected spaces within the country in just five years. Despite promises made during the recent federal election campaign to intensify conservation efforts, including the creation of new national parks and urban parks, the budget does not explicitly allocate new funding for these initiatives.
Advocates emphasize the importance of recognizing the economic benefits that nature offers alongside investments in economic development. Sandra Schwartz, national executive director for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, highlighted the need for sustainable funding for crucial conservation projects, such as ongoing research, community consultations, and planning efforts necessary for establishing parks and conservation areas.
Valérie Courtois, the executive director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, stressed the importance of Indigenous-led conservation efforts, urging Canada to serve as a global model for effective conservation practices. She underlined the positive impact of the Indigenous guardians program on community involvement in conservation work, especially in preserving cultural identities and languages.
The national guardians program, initially launched as a pilot project in 2017 and later extended with $100 million in funding, is set to expire by March 31 next year. Despite acknowledging the program’s value, the government has not provided clarity on its extension, leaving advocates hopeful for continued support in Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.
Environment and Climate Change Canada, when approached for comment, reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborating with Indigenous groups and other stakeholders to advance conservation objectives without specific mention of support for Indigenous-led programs and conservation work.