Despite some gaps, lawyers are encouraged by plans to meet global biodiversity targets
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories / VANCOUVER, BC
West Coast Environmental Law welcomes A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature, the federal government’s plan to meet its commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. West Coast lawyers recognize this strategy as a positive step in what we hope will be an ambitious agenda to protect and restore the nature that is core to our identity as Canadians and underpins much of our economy.
The new Nature Strategy contains commitments and funding for meeting Canada’s goal of protecting 30% of terrestrial and ocean spaces by 2030 (30x30), as well as support for the protection of international waters, and funding for other measures that support conservation.
“It is encouraging to see the commitments made by the federal government in this strategy towards meeting our nature protection goals, including support for Indigenous-led nature conservation. This signals that the government understands that healthy ecosystems are essential to all Canadians’ economic, physical and cultural well-being,” said Staff Lawyer Michael Bissonnette.
The Strategy includes (among other commitments):
- The establishment of up to 10 new national marine conservation areas, and at least 10 new national parks;
- A commitment matched with funding to ratify the High Seas Treaty and advance the international commitment to protect 30% of the world's oceans;
- Funding to modernize the location, retrieval and disposal of “ghost gear” (abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear);
- Funding to protect fish and fish habitat, including funding to restore vulnerable Pacific salmon populations and their habitat;
- Funding for Indigenous Guardians Programs, including a new Arctic Indigenous Guardians Program; and
- A commitment to develop Canada's first National Water Security Strategy.
“We are heartened to see the federal government take the issue of ghost gear seriously, as it causes immense harm. However, the commitment to funding its removal is a 57% decrease in year-over-year funding, at a time when the problem is only getting worse,” said Staff Lawyer Erin Gray.
“We look forward to the federal government coming to the table as a strong partner in water security, particularly in the Lower Fraser and Port of Vancouver region where flood and drought management urgently require coordinated planning and action across jurisdictions to keep communities safe, protect biodiversity and maintain economic continuity and competitiveness,” said Staff Lawyer Deborah Carlson.
“It is good to see investment into the important work of Indigenous Guardians Programs, which provide sustainable, fulfilling jobs that contribute to our economy while also enhancing conservation and protection of lands and waters. With the government’s focus on supporting two Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) around Hudson and James Bay, it is important to note that there are many IPCAs across Canada that require strategic level policy change and sustained funding to enable them to be implemented. This work must be informed and guided by First Nations who are leading stewardship initiatives in their territories,” said Rayanna Seymour-Hourie, Staff Lawyer and Program Lead on the RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air & Water) Program.
Concerns about gaps in 30x30 roadmap
West Coast lawyers are concerned about some gaps in the roadmap that Canada's Nature Strategy lays out to achieve 30x30. In particular, the Strategy acknowledges that there is a 1.8% gap in its roadmap to protect 30% of ocean spaces by 2030, which the government will need to close. Moreover, Canada acknowledges that the current level of funding is insufficient to properly protect Canada’s natural assets and that private funding will be needed to close the gap.
“Now is not the time to be underfunding marine conservation work,” said Bissonnette. “The health of our coasts is critical for human safety and economic prosperity. The 'ecosystem services' (including flood protection, erosion control and water filtration) provided by coastal areas are massive. Taxpayers would shoulder significant costs if these systems were further degraded.”
West Coast Environmental Law looks forward to working with the federal government to address these gaps and protect and restore nature, alongside Indigenous nations who play a critical role in stewarding lands and waters in their territories.
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For more information, please contact:
Michael Bissonnette, Staff Lawyer
mbissonnette@wcel.org, 604-684-7378 ext. 233