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e-4673 (Environment)

E-petition
Initiated by Stephen Hazell from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Prime Minister

Whereas:
  • Canada and the world face a biodiversity crisis with one million species facing extinction globally;
  • Canadian governments have consistently failed to meet their international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity despite numerous strategies and action plans issued since 1992;
  • Canada demonstrated leadership internationally at the 2022 Convention on Biological Diversity in Montréal and the 2023 IMPAC5 Conference in Vancouver, such as by supporting Indigenous-led conservation and making significant investment commitments in biodiversity conservation;
  • The 2022 Kunming – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework signed by Canada sets binding international targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030;
  • Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change has stated his intention to introduce, by early 2024, legislation into Parliament that enshrines accountability for achieving Canada’s goals and targets under the Global Biodiversity Framework; and
  • Such legislation should recognize and affirm Indigenous rights and jurisdiction in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and support Indigenous leadership in nature conservation.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister to introduce, and the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to enact, legislation in early 2024 to conserve nature in Canada by implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable STEVEN GUILBEAULT

On June 13, 2024, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change introduced Bill C-73, An Act respecting transparency and accountability in relation to certain commitments Canada has made under the Convention on Biological Diversity (Nature Accountability Act), in Parliament.

If passed into law, the proposed Nature Accountability Act will establish an accountability and transparency framework for the federal government in fulfilling its commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and related commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The proposed Nature Accountability Act includes requirements for the federal government to develop national strategies – like Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy – and to report regularly on their implementation. Reporting will allow for an assessment of progress, and, where necessary, provide information on course corrections to stay on track with commitments.

Beyond imposing specific accountability and transparency requirements on the federal government, the bill supports collaboration between the Government of Canada and other governments in Canada as well as Indigenous partners in actions to address biodiversity loss.

Together, the bill and the Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy will provide a coordinated approach in efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in Canada.

Open for signature
November 15, 2023, at 3:56 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
March 14, 2024, at 3:56 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Richard Cannings (South Okanagan—West Kootenay)
May 3, 2024 (Petition No. 441-02430)
Government response tabled
June 17, 2024
Photo - Richard Cannings
South Okanagan—West Kootenay
New Democratic Party Caucus
British Columbia