Environment & Natural Resources

1. Joint statement in the field of civil nuclear energy between The Government of Canada and The Government of the French Republic

   Canada and the French Republic share common visions of safe and secure global economic and energy systems.

2. CANCELLED: Minister Wilkinson to Make a Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency Announcement

   The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Greater Victoria Housing Society to make a funding announcement to support energy efficiency for buildings across Victoria, British Columbia. This announcement follows the publication of the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, which prioritized housing and building a clean economy.

3. Government of Canada to hold a technical briefing on Canada’s priorities, objectives, and planned activities for COP28

   Media representatives are advised that departmental officials from the Government of Canada will hold a bilingual technical briefing regarding Canada’s priorities, objectives, and planned activities for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)

4. Minister Guilbeault leads the Canadian delegation to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) to push for ambitious climate action

   The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, is leading the Canadian delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023. At COP28, Canada will work with partners to accelerate global efforts to keep the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5 ºC within reach and avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.

5. Minister Guilbeault highlights the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, the next phase of the federal government’s economic plan to build more housing and support Canadians with their energy bills

   Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, highlighted new measures in the Government’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement that take further action to support more Canadians in affording a home, while helping them to reduce their household energy bills.

6. Government of Canada introduces bill to protect elephants and great apes in captivity

   On November 21, 2023, the Government of Canada introduced Bill S-15, which would prohibit the new ownership of elephants and great apes in Canada, unless a permit or licence has been issued for either the best interest of the animal’s welfare or conservation, or scientific research, subject to potential conditions.

7. Recent initiatives strengthening animal protection in Canada

   The Government of Canada is committed to protecting animals

8. Canada implements stricter measures for elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn trade

   the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a stricter approach to trade for Canada that will further limit the ability to transport all elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn across Canadian borders.

9. Government of Canada launches applications for $170 million Low Carbon Economy Challenge, highlighting University of Victoria pollution-cutting project

   Today, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the launch of a new application period for the Low Carbon Economy Challenge, known as the Challenge Fund, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

10. Minister Guilbeault to announce stricter measures to regulate the trade of certain wildlife items in Canada

    Minister Guilbeault to announce stricter measures to regulate the trade of certain wildlife items in Canada

11. 10,000 Trees to be Planted in Deux-Montagnes Through the 2 Billion Trees Program

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Pierre Charron, Mayor of Saint-Eustache, announced a joint investment of more than $250,000 to plant 10,000 trees on 24 public sites covering 9.5 hectares in order to strengthen community resilience to the impacts of climate change and natural disturbances.

12. Federal Investments Advance Energy Efficiency for Buildings across British Columbia

    Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a combined federal investment of over $3 million for partners that are driving innovation for energy efficiency in buildings across British Columbia.

13. Government of Canada to make a funding announcement to support low-carbon projects and help Canada deliver on its 2030 climate target

    Media representatives are advised that Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make a funding announcement in support of low-carbon projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help Canada deliver on its 2030 climate target.

14. CANCELLED: PS Dabrusin to Make Energy Efficiency Announcement

    On behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will make a funding announcement to support energy efficiency for buildings in Vancouver, British Columbia. Media availability will follow.

15. Canada and Germany to hold media availability ahead of COP28 on collective progress toward the US$100 billion international climate finance goal

    Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, will provide an update on collective progress toward the US$100 billion international climate finance goal through to 2025.

16. Government of Canada launches the Indigenous Leadership Fund to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis climate action

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the launch of the Indigenous Leadership Fund, a new program developed in collaboration with First Nations representatives, Inuit organizations, and Métis governments. The Indigenous Leadership Fund provides up to $180 million to support Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects led by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis

17. Minister Guilbeault to make an announcement supporting Indigenous-owned and led projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make a significant announcement regarding support for Indigenous-owned and led projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

18. The Government of Canada is committed to investing up to $8 million to protect green spaces in Montréal-Est

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga and Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announced an investment of up to $8 million to protect green spaces and, if necessary, to acquire land by the City of Montréal in the Assomption Sud–Longue-Pointe sector, located in the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

19. Canadian businesses continue to join the Net-Zero Challenge to drive climate action

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, participated in the Canadian Climate Institute and the Net-Zero Advisory Body’s third annual pan-Canadian climate conference, “Building Momentum Toward Net Zero”, in Ottawa, Ontario. During the conference, Minister Guilbeault provided an update on the Net-Zero Challenge. Since its launch last year, the response from the private sector has been incredible.

20. Minister Guilbeault to make an announcement on new funding for protecting green spaces in Montréal

    Minister Guilbeault to make an announcement on new funding for protecting green spaces in Montréal

21. Government of Canada’s response to the reports tabled by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

    The Government of Canada is taking extensive action to meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets; promote sustainable development; increase the protection and conservation of nature, including the marine environment; and address the impacts of climate change

22. Plastique Royal inc. ordered to pay a fine of $600,000 after selling non-compliant automotive refinishing products

    On November 6, 2023, Plastique Royal inc. was ordered by the Court of Québec, at the Laval courthouse, to pay a fine of $600,000. The company pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act) and one count of violating the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations (the Regulations). The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund.

23. Government of Canada to hold a media availability to respond to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s Fall 2023 Reports

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, will hold a media availability to speak to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s Fall 2023 Reports, which will be tabled in Parliament on November 7.

24. Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation between Canada, British Columbia, and the First Nations Leadership Council

    Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation between Canada, British Columbia, and the First Nations Leadership Council

25. Government of Canada, British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council sign a historic tripartite nature conservation framework agreement

    Today, the governments of Canada and British Columbia (B.C.), and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) signed a first of its kind, tripartite framework agreement to protect and conserve biodiversity, habitats, and species at risk in the province. The Framework Agreement enables action rooted in recognition of First Nations title and rights to reach B.C. and Canada’s goal of protecting thirty percent of lands in B.C. by 2030.

26. Canada, British Columbia, and the First Nations Leadership Council to make a significant announcement on protecting and conserving nature

    Canada, British Columbia, and the First Nations Leadership Council to make a significant announcement on protecting and conserving nature

27. Government of Canada Announces 10 Indigenous Communities Advancing Clean Energy Solutions 

    Today, the Government of Canada is pleased to announce that 10 remote Indigenous communities and First Nations have completed Phase 1 of the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI) Cohort 2.

28. Government of Canada and Forests Ontario partner to Plant 31 Million Trees and Advance the 2 Billion Trees Program

    The Government of Canada is committed to planting two billion trees across the country, which is why the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Jess Kaknevicius, CEO of Forests Ontario, today announced a joint commitment to plant 31 million trees across the country through the 2 Billion Trees program. The Government of Canada will cover 50 percent of the project costs for this $123-million project and Forests Ontario will work with corporate supporters, partners, and donors across the country to contribute the balance.

29. New Federal Call for Proposals for Smart Grid Projects

    Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, attended the Energy Innovation Forum’s Smart Grids Conference in Moncton, New Brunswick, and announced the launch of a smart grid call for proposals.

30.  The Government of Canada Announces Funding for Scientific Research to Enhance Marine, Freshwater and Coastal Incident Response Tools

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced $7.8 million in funding for 10 projects through the Multi-Partner Research Initiative (MPRI) to help improve oil spill research and response tools and techniques.

31. Government of Canada Releases Interim Guidance on the Impact Assessment Act

    Attracting investment and supporting major job-creating projects requires regulatory certainty from all levels of government.

32. Chief Veterinary Officers from across Canada collaborate to protect animal health and welfare

    This week, federal, provincial and territorial Chief Veterinary Officers came together to advance a range of pressing animal health issues at the 2023 Council of Chief Veterinary Officers Annual Meeting in Guelph.

33. Minister Wilkinson to Participate in Fireside Chat at the Pembina 2023 Alberta Climate Summit

    Media attending both the fireside chat and the media availability must register by emailing laurencem@pembina.org by 3 p.m. MT on October 25, 2023. Note that media will not be able to ask questions inside the main conference room. Media attending only the availability do not need to register and may arrive at the Summit on the day with press accreditation.

34. Government of Canada Announces $2.5 Million for Lac-Mégantic Microgrid Capacity Building

    The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced an investment of $2.5 million for the City of Lac-Mégantic to support capacity-building activities that will increase the knowledge and skills related to the city’s microgrid. Hydro-Québec also contributed to this project, bringing the total investment to $3.75 million.

35. Minister Bibeau and Mayor Morin to Make a Clean Energy Announcement in Lac-Mégantic

    The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, alongside Lac-Mégantic Mayor Julie Morin, will announce a clean energy investment in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.

36. Governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Show Progress Toward Phasing Out Coal by 2030 and Expanding Their Clean, Reliable and Affordable Electricity Grids

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, met with the Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia; the Honourable Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables of Nova Scotia; and the Honourable Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick, to discuss the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 and the drive to net-zero electricity by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050 in a manner that is affordable for all Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers.

37. Joint Policy Statement on Developing and Transmitting Clean, Reliable and Affordable Power in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

    Building on a strong foundation of collaboration on clean electricity priorities in the region, we, the federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the federal Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, the federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Premier of New Brunswick and the Premier of Nova Scotia met to discuss working together to support and help ensure an affordable, and reliable phase-out of coal and transition to net-zero electricity.

38. Minister Wilkinson to Make a Clean Energy Announcement for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, to make clean energy announcement following meeting with the Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia, and the Honourable Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick. They will be joined by federal Ministers, along with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Members of Parliament.

39. Four new members are joining the Net-Zero Advisory Body

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced four new members who are joining NZAB

40. Canada reaches historic milestone on Indigenous-led land conservation in the Northwest Territories

    This week, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, alongside Indigenous governments in the Northwest Territories, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and private philanthropies, celebrated the signing of a framework agreement to support one of the largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives in the world.

41. Governments of Canada and Yukon Announce Joint Investment to Plant Fire-Resilient Trees as Part of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program

    Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Richard Mostyn, Yukon’s Minister of Community Services, announced a joint investment of more than $1.1 million under the 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program to plant 400,000 trees on public lands to support community resilience to climate impacts and natural disturbances.

42. Statement by Ministers Guilbeault and Virani on the Supreme Court of Canada’s opinion on the constitutionality of the Impact Assessment Act

    Four years ago, the Impact Assessment Act came into force to address the concerns the Government of Canada heard about the federal approval process for major projects like oil and gas pipelines, mines, hydroelectric dams, ports and nuclear facilities.

43. Minister Guilbeault to recognize historic step forward in world-leading Indigenous-led conservation initiative in the Northwest Territories

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will provide remarks and hold a media availability in celebration of reaching a historic milestone in a new Indigenous-led initiative to protect land, support thriving cultures, and foster economic diversification across the territory.

44. Pollution pricing in the Atlantic provinces

    Pollution pricing in the Atlantic provinces

45. Families in New Brunswick to receive a double pollution price rebate this week

    Starting tomorrow, Canadians living in New Brunswick will receive the first installment of their quarterly pollution price rebate—the Climate Action Incentive payment—delivered by direct deposit or cheque. Payments to residents of New Brunswick are: $184 for a single adult, $276 for a couple, and $368 for a family of four

46. Nearly $4.4 million available for projects in Quebec that will reduce air pollution from transportation by improving urban mobility

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the department is now accepting applications for nearly $4.4 million in funding through the Environmental Damages Fund to support projects in the province of Quebec that will help reduce transportation-related air pollution.

47. Canada invests in Thunder Bay projects to clean up and protect the Great Lakes

    Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, $663,500 in funding under the Freshwater Action Plan for six projects that will support region-specific actions to restore water quality and ecosystem health.

48. Canada and Nova Scotia chart new path with Agreement to help protect and conserve nature

    Today, Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and the Honourable Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Nova Scotia, announced the Canada–Nova Scotia Nature Agreement to advance nature conservation and protection across the province.

49. Government of Canada to make an important announcement on protecting and conserving nature in Nova Scotia

    Media representatives are advised that Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, and Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, will make an announcement on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to protect and conserve biodiversity, habitat, and species at risk in Nova Scotia.

50. Government of Canada and FCM Announce $1.8 Million Federal Investment to Improve Water Quality in Quebecc

    Today the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Scott Pearce, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, announced an investment of more than $1.8 million through the Green Municipal Fund to support six projects in communities across Quebec.