The second and current tenure of U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown not just the United States, but the entire world, into chaos. Nowhere has felt this more than Canada, its closest neighbour.
Trump’s trade war — and threats of annexation — has reinvigorated a belief that Canada is different from the U.S. and will not stand for the unjust policies that the Trump administration has unleashed over the past few months. People across Canada are identifying with the core values that have often characterized this country at times of crisis. These values include a belief that we should stand up and support one another, especially the most marginalized in our community. That we deeply value our public institutions, human rights, Indigenous rights and reconciliation. And that we care for our environment and public health, and feel proud of environmental laws and policies that communities across the country fought very hard for over the past decade.
On April 28, the public have a chance to vote for the next federal government. This election offers a crucial moment for us to reinforce our values and centre environmental justice. It’s also an opportunity to protect the significant gains we’ve made in environmental policy, and advance bold policy ideas that will secure our economy while tackling the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity decline and toxic pollution.
Here are the four actions that Ecojustice wants our next government to prioritize:
1. Supporting workers, families, and impacted communities
This is a time of great economic uncertainty for a lot of people. Workers are worried about their jobs and families are worried about the cost-of-living. This is most severely felt by workers in industries impacted by President Trump’s trade war and economically vulnerable communities.
The next federal government must show up for workers, families, and impacted communities, and develop sustainable solutions that can help us achieve economic independence and diversify trading partners in a way that delivers a secure future, a safe climate and a healthy environment.
2. Putting people before fossil fuel industry profits
Whoever is elected as the next federal government should not cater to the greedy demands of oil and gas company executives at the expense of the environment and public health. In this moment of economic instability, the fossil fuel industry is cynically calling for reversing and weakening of critical environmental laws that keep us and our future safe, to line their and their rich investors’ pockets.1
This is no time to be following President Trump’s playbook. Canada can and must do better. This includes focusing on nation-building projects that follow Canadians’ and the global ambition to shift away from fossil fuels. This includes clean energy infrastructure and significant investments in the electricity grid across Canada.
3. Acting on pollution and toxic threats
Canada’s sovereignty is only as safe and healthy as its people. And everyday people across this country are exposed to toxic chemicals, unacceptable pollution, and other environmental harms that have immediate and long-term consequences for their health and communities.
As countries around the world seek to reach a global plastics treaty, Canada must coordinate with international allies to achieve a strong agreement. Aamjiwnaang First Nation, who know all too well the impact that plastic production has on health and well-being, must be a key partner in this work.
The next federal government must commit to advancing its Zero Plastic Waste Agenda, especially as the Trump administration calls for it to be weakened under the guise of trade barriers.
Canada’s use of toxic pesticides, which has increased 47 per cent in a decade, needs to be urgently addressed by the next federal government. Whoever forms the new government must act on PFAS — also known as forever chemicals — as quickly as possible.
4. Protecting and restoring our nature and biodiversity
In December 2022, the Global Biodiversity Framework was signed in Montreal. Canada committed to playing its part to protect the natural world and stop ecosystem collapse caused by the decline in biodiversity. But this work cannot happen without the leadership and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples.
To reach its international commitments, and set a path towards recovering biodiversity, Canada must pass legislation that enshrines global biodiversity targets into law.
Canada has an opportunity to lead the world into a new era of conservation — one that places Indigenous knowledge, leadership and law, long-term sustainability, and community well-being at its core. The path forward is clear.
Ecojustice will be there
The future success, sustainability, and security of Canada depends on our political leaders standing up for environmental justice.
Ecojustice will be there, to make sure that whoever forms the next federal government hears the voice of our supporters and the communities we work with. Together we can advance these goals and protect the hard-fought gains we have all achieved together.
Come to our post-election webinar
Want to hear more about what Ecojustice thinks after the federal election? Join me for a post-election webinar on May 7. I’ll be talking with our Program Directors about opportunities and policy solutions to advance environmental goals in the context of a new federal government.
Date: Wednesday May 7, 2025
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm Pacific Time
Where: Online via Zoom
If you can’t make it, register anyway, and we’ll send you a recording after the event.
1 Energy CEOs write to federal political leaders on how to boost production, Canadian sovereignty – Globe and Mail
