The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

An Environmental Platform for 2019 – Lopoukhine

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September 12, 2019

An Environmental Platform for 2019 – Lopoukhine

By Nikita Lopoukhine

The Pearson Centre has invited various leading thinkers to contribute their ideas towards the Progressive Platform to generate good ideas for debate in this general election. The views expressed here are those of the writer. We thank the writers for putting forward their ideas for this important project.
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Four years ago in advance of the federal election campaign, I suggested ten pressing environment challenges that a new government was facing. To recap, these were Climate Change, Oil and Gas, Water (Lakes and Rivers), Conservation, Parks and other Forms of Protected Areas, Citizens’ Connection to Nature, Environmental Assessment, Environmental Science and Research, Pollution Abatement, and International Environmental Instruments and Commitments.

As we enter the 2019 pre-election phase, it is timely to review achievements, failures and, sadly, even more pressing challenges.

The current federal government has taken on most of the noted challenges by launching significant initiatives. New legislation has addressed environmental assessment, fisheries and navigable waters.. Science based decisions were brought back and investment in science boosted. An unprecedented budget for conservation was passed. With the recently announced Marine Protected Areas, Canada now exceeds the global target of 10%. However, more is needed to meet the 2020 terrestrial target of 17% which is currently at 13%. Plastic pollution awareness has been raised significantly. Canada is no longer viewed as a pariah at international meetings. Citizen involvement through consultations, panels and commissioned studies is remarkable.

But the work is hardly completed. Legislation blockages by unelected Senators are indeed one problem. Even more insidious, however, is the obstruction of action from opposing views in the face of mounting evidence on the seriousness of the world’s plight. Facts are ignored and effort is wasted on trying to water down policies.

Going forward for any government intent on making a difference on the Environment Portfolio there are two issues that must be addressed: climate change and biodiversity.

Climate Change:

Since 2015, dire reports underline that we have but a limited time to act on climate change. Anomalous weather patterns leading to floods, fires, tornadoes and drought bring home the message of the need to act. The vast majority of Canadians are abandoning torpor as they acknowledge that humans are a principal cause of climate change. Parliament declared that climate change is a national emergency

Canada reinvigorated its commitment to action by signing on to the Paris Accord of the UNFCC in 2015. Indeed, the newly minted Minister of Environment and Climate Change was front and centre in seeing thar the Accord was realized. Turning internally, Canada struck a commitment with provinces to address climate change by either putting a price on pollution, a tax on carbon, or through the pursuit of other initiatives such as a cap and trade program. Subsequently, however, a number of provinces began resisting the widely accepted policy that applying a price on carbon is the most effective approach open to governments. Resistors cite a negative impact on the economy and poor people. Ironically, the reality as stated in the Economist is that it will be the economy and the disadvantaged who will likely suffer most if we do not reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. To be clear, a pollution toll is but a part of the solution, individual and business must also commit to taking action.

Sticking to a carbon tax for the next four years and beyond is critical to underline the importance of taking action but also provides incentives to reduce emissions. Programmes financed by the revenues generated by the pollution tax must be channeled to inform and assist consumers in their daily life decisions. In particular focus should be on;

  • retrofitting and increasing efficiencies of buildings and their heating systems,
  • transitioning electricity generation away from fossil fuels to renewable sources (solar, geothermal and wind),
  • reducing emissions emanating from transportation, through subsidising electrical vehicles and more efficient transport systems, including investing in charging stations
  • Assisting agriculture and heavy industry to help meet reduction, and not to be overlooked
  • Recognizing the importance of natural solutions in sequestration of carbon by planting trees, reducing deforestation and establishing protected areas.

Biodiversity

The future effects of Climate Change on humans, particularly the disadvantaged, are clear. The effect on other life we share the planet with is becoming equally clear. Nature underpins all human activity and thus is fundamental to our well being. Sadly, Biodiversity is under severe threat. Humans are displacing plants and animals at an unprecedented rate as we convert natural ecosystems for our shelter, commerce and food production needs. The remaining habitats face a changing climate and isolation.

Species evolve in response to change. Adapting to change in either morphology, breeding and foraging is possible given time and space. However, climate change is shortening the time for adaptation and evolution. The global shrinking of habitats is well documented as is their isolation caused by transportation corridors and other land uses conversions that eliminate continuity of habitats. Connectivity of habitats which assures movement of species is viewed as a critical contribution to halting the rate of biodiversity loss.

A global movement, Nature Needs Half, calling for 50% of our planet for humans and 50% for nature has grown in support. A range of protected areas from strict protection of sensitive ecosystems to areas with non-commercial resource harvesting need to be established if biodiversity is to survive in the future. Canada has an opportunity to show the world that working to increase levels of protection is feasible given the extent and relative intactness of the boreal forest ecosystem that spans Canada.

Canada keeps adding to its list of species at risk. As the list expands, it has become clear that there is advantage in a multispecies approach where possible. Cooperation with provinces, municipalities and citizens is sought. Yet, to date, efforts to address the plight of these species are at times nominal. Requisite statutory recovery plans are wanting. When plans are drawn up they are not always implemented.  More recently, some provinces have been seeking to water down their legislation. While significant new federal funding has recently been announced, there has been a reticence in using the safety net provisions under the act that give federal authority to take necessary protection measures. Stopping part of a housing development in Quebec because of an at-risk listed frog species came with controversies. Protecting Sage Grouse habitat was the other such federal intervention under the act.

Climate change and biodiversity loss represent threats to human and other life forms survival. Not addressing these two issue squarely and with panache, dooms us all.

Served on the National Advisory Panel (conservation2020canada.ca) and currently serving on the Boards of CPAWS (national trustee and Ottawa Valley)
- 2015 Report can be found here: http://www.thepearsoncentre.ca/progressive-memos/environmental-top-10-for-election-year/

Served on the National Advisory Panel (conservation2020canada.ca) and currently serving on the Boards of CPAWS (national trustee and Ottawa Valley)
- 2015 Report can be found here: http://www.thepearsoncentre.ca/progressive-memos/environmental-top-10-for-election-year/