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The rooftop of a Canadian Parliament building against the blue sky.

Photo by Paul VanDerWerf via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

press release

All parties must work together to prioritize environmental action

November 23, 2021

OTTAWA/TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHNAABEG PEOPLE –

It is essential that all MPs demonstrate their commitment to tackling Canada’s interlocking environmental crises following the Speech from the Throne, says Ecojustice, Canada’s largest environmental law charity.

Tony Maas, Ecojustice’s director of legislative affairs, issued the following statement in response to today’s Speech from the Throne outlining the federal government’s legislative priorities for the new parliament:

“Today’s throne speech speaks to the big challenges and opportunities in Canada today and sets a high-level vision for how to tackle them.

“Many people in Canada were disappointed by the lack of urgency conveyed by global leaders at COP26 and in the past week, Canadians have been shocked by flooding and mudslides in B.C.

“The message to MPs is clearer than ever. Canadians want action from political leaders to tackle environmental crises and chart a path to a safe and sustainable future for everyone.

“To put Canada on a sustainable path, we are calling on all parties to work together in this Parliament to take the following immediate actions:

  • Reintroduce and pass legislation to strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and recognize your right to a healthy environment
  • Ban the export of thermal coal by 2023, including American coal, from Canadian ports
  • Cap and cut emissions from the oil and gas industry to make sure Canada achieves its climate targets
  • Introduce a corporate climate accountability law that requires Canadian companies, banks and financial institutions to align their business with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees
  • Introduce legislation to tackle systemic environmental racism and develop a strategy to address environmental justice in Canada

 

“The next six months will be a crucial test of Parliamentarians’ commitment to make real progress on the environmental crises we face today.

“We are looking to mandate letters, which the Prime Minister will issue to Cabinet shortly, to provide detail on how the vision outlined in the throne speech will translate into action so that MPs can roll up their sleeves and get to work building a safe, equitable, and sustainable Canada for everyone”

About:
Ecojustice uses the power of the law to defend nature, combat climate change, and fight for a healthy environment. Its strategic, public interest lawsuits and advocacy lead to precedent-setting court decisions and law and policy that deliver lasting solutions to Canada’s most urgent environmental problems. As Canada’s largest environmental law charity, Ecojustice operates offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax.