Environment & Natural Resources

1. Canada Invests to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Network at Campuses in Waterloo

   The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Member of Parliament for Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $100,000 investment for the University of Waterloo to work with Wilfrid Laurier University to install 20 electric vehicle (EV) chargers at both campuses providing employees, students and visitors with more options to charge and drive their vehicles where they live, work and learn.

2. Minister Chagger to Make an Electric Vehicle Announcement

   The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Member of Parliament for Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, will make a virtual announcement to support electric vehicle infrastructure.

3. Minister Wilkinson congratulates Environment and Climate Change Canada on 50 years of environmental protection

   “On this day, I am honoured to congratulate Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for 50 years of achievement in protecting and conserving our environment in Canada and abroad.”

4. Government of Canada releases Policy Statement on future thermal coal mining projects and project expansions

   As G7 world leaders gather in the U.K. to combat global challenges, including climate change, and as the next step in Canada’s commitment to addressing harmful GHG emissions from coal, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, today announced the Government of Canada’s public policy statement on new thermal coal mining or expansion projects. The statement indicates that the Government considers that these projects are likely to cause unacceptable environmental effects within federal jurisdiction and are not aligned with Canada’s domestic and international climate change commitments. Accordingly, this position will inform federal decision making on thermal coal mining projects.

5. World Environment Day 2021: Statement from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

   Today is World Environment Day and this year’s theme of “Ecosystem Restoration” has a special resonance for Canadians.

6. Canada Highlights Green and Inclusive Recovery at the 12th Clean Energy  Ministerial and 6th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meetings

   Building on the success of last year’s Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and Mission Innovation (MI) Ministerial meetings, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, participated in the 12th CEM and 6th MI ministerial meetings hosted virtually by the Government of Chile.

7. Hemlock Woolly Adelgid confirmed detection in Kings County, Nova Scotia

   The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in Kings County, Nova Scotia. This detection is outside of currently regulated areas for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in the province, which includes the counties of Digby, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Annapolis.

8. Help shape the future of a new national park reserve in Prince Edward Island

   Pituamkek (Hog Island) National Park Reserve

9. Marking World Environment Day, Canada invests up to $55 million in 58 local climate action projects

   That is why today, the Minister of Middle-Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Mona Fortier, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced the Government of Canada will invest up to $54.9 million in 58 community-based climate action initiatives from across Canada. These projects, funded by the Climate Action and Awareness Fund, will build capacity and awareness for local action on climate change. Each community focused project will support Canada’s climate goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

10. Ottawa Launches the Canada Greener Homes Grant

    Quebec Lieutenant Pablo Rodriguez was in the Lower Laurentians yesterday to highlight the launch of the new Canada Greener Homes Grant. The grant will help homeowners in the area make their homes more energy-efficient and lower their energy bills. This will reduce energy waste, create good jobs and foster a green economic recovery.

11. Pituamkek National Park Reserve

    Pituamkek (Hog Island) National Park Reserve

12. Canada Invests in Hydrogen Fueling Station for Commercial Fleet in Alberta

    The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $2.3-million investment in the Alberta Zero-Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration (AZETEC) project.

13. Government of Canada invests in 10 First Nations Guardians initiatives

    Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced $600,000 in funding for 10 new initiatives under the Indigenous Guardians Pilot. Guardians act as the “eyes and ears on the ground.” These initiatives will enable First Nations to monitor ecological health, maintain cultural sites, and protect sensitive areas and species, while creating jobs.

14. Indigenous Guardians First Nations Tier 1 projects 2021-2022

    The Indigenous Guardians Pilot supports Indigenous leadership in conservation, enabling communities to monitor ecological health, maintain cultural sites, and protect sensitive areas and species, while creating jobs. On June 3, 2021, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced $600,000 for 10 initiatives under the Tier 1 stream of the First Nations Guardians Pilot. Each initiative received $60,000 in funding.

15. Minister Mona Fortier to announce funding for community-based climate action initiatives across Canada

    Members of the media are invited to attend a virtual announcement with the Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. To mark World Environment Day, Minister Fortier will be joined by Marci Ien, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, and will announce new community-based climate action initiatives across Canada.

16. Minister O’Regan to Make an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Announcement

    The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr. will make a virtual electric vehicle infrastructure announcement.

17. The Government of Canada invests in plastics science research to further understand environmental threats

    Today, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced that the Government of Canada is providing close to $7 million to support seven science-based research projects. These projects aim to close gaps in our knowledge and improve understanding of the threats posed by plastic pollution and to help us move toward a cleaner and healthier world.

18. Canadian Environment Week 2021: Statement from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

    Canadian Environment Week celebrates the actions we are taking to protect and preserve our environment. This year it falls from May 30 to June 5.

19. Canada and Ontario mark 50th anniversary of Great Lakes Agreement by signing ninth agreement

    Today, the Governments of Canada and Ontario announced that they have signed the new Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health , which sets out specific actions each government will take to protect and restore the Great Lakes, such as preventing toxic and nuisance algae, improving wastewater and stormwater management, reducing plastic pollution and excess road salt, restoring native species and habitats, and increasing resilience to climate change.

20. Government of Canada Invests in Energy-Efficient Homes

    The Canada Greener Homes Grant will help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient, create new jobs across Canada for energy advisors, grow our domestic green supply chains and fight climate change.

21. Minister Wilkinson to participate in the virtual Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition high-level event at the World Bank’s Innovate4Climate conference

    Media representatives are advised that the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will participate in a virtual Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition high-level event at the World Bank Group’s Innovate4Climate annual conference. The Minister will discuss how Canada’s carbon pollution pricing system is driving innovation, creating opportunities across the economy and fighting climate change.

22. International Day for Biological Diversity 2021: statement from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

    “Today, the world marks International Day for Biological Diversity, and this year’s theme is ‘We’re part of the solution #ForNature.’

23. Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister of Natural Resources participate in G7 Climate and Environment Ministers’ Meeting

    Over the past two days, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, participated virtually in the G7 Climate and Environment Ministers’ Meeting hosted by the UK. He was joined by the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, for the discussions on net zero and clean-energy transition.

24. The Canadian Hurricane Centre is prepared for an above-average 2021 hurricane season

    This morning, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, which predicts hurricane activity in the North Atlantic Ocean this year will be above normal. NOAA predicts 13 to 20 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 5 major hurricanes. The outlook is a general guide to the expected overall activity during the upcoming hurricane season. Shortly after NOAA released its outlook, the Canadian Hurricane Centre put it into context for Canadians, so they have an idea of what to expect this hurricane season and how to prepare accordingly.

25. New Electric Vehicle Chargers Coming to Langley, B.C.

    The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $150,000 investment to install 21 electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Langley, B.C. to encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and provide British Columbians with more options to charge and drive their vehicles where they live, work and play.

26. Canada Invests in Whitby’s Energy Saving Efforts

    Ryan Turnbull, Member of Parliament for Whitby, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an $87,000 investment to the Town of Whitby to identify energy-saving opportunities for its municipal buildings and vehicle fleet.

27. Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador invest in climate action projects across the province 

    Today, the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced approximately $4.8 million from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund to support 13 climate action projects in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is also contributing $3.3 million in support of these initiatives. These investments come from the province’s Climate Change Challenge Fund.

28. Government of Canada invests $4.4 million in climate action and awareness for young Canadians

    Today, Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada will invest $4,499,737 in Clean Foundation’s Youth Climate Action Now (YouCAN) project.

29. Canada and FCM Invest in Energy Efficiency in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, and Garth Frizzell, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), today announced a $14.1-million investment through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) and drive cost savings in communities in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

30. Canada Invests in Indigenous Clean Energy Projects in Northern Newfoundland and Labrador  

    Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament for Labrador, today announced funding for the following three CERRC projects on the Northern coast of Labrador.

31. British Columbia-based trading company fined $60,000 for illegal import of 434 kg of fins from a threatened shark species

    On May 18, 2021, Kiu Yick Trading Co. Ltd. was sentenced to pay a $60,000 fine after pleading guilty in the Provincial Court of British Columbia to unlawfully importing a CITES-listed species without a permit, in contravention of subsection 6(2) of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund and used to support projects that benefit our natural environment. In addition to the fine, the court also ordered that 13 boxes of silky shark fins, weighing approximately 434 kg, be forfeited to the Crown.

32. ENERGY STAR® Canada Recognizes Leaders in Energy Efficiency

    Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, congratulated the winners of the prestigious 2021 ENERGY STAR Canada Awards for their outstanding contributions in promoting the most energy-efficient products, new homes and buildings — inspiring Canadians to think differently about how energy is used every day.

33. Significant $45,000 Court Order for fishing violations in the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site, underscores the importance of protecting culturally significant sites and vital ecosystems

    A significant British Columbia court case was finalized on April 21, 2021, by Prince Rupert Provincial Court, against Silas Miro Levesque, commercial master of the vessel Wind Walker. Mr. Levesque was found guilty of fishing for lingcod in a culturally significant closed area inside the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site.

34. The Government of Canada invests in climate action in Newfoundland and Labrador

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make an announcement about climate action projects in Newfoundland and Labrador. He will be joined by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and His Worship Danny Breen, Mayor for the City of St. John’s.

35. Canadian Hurricane Centre’s 2021 hurricane season outlook

    Media representatives are advised that Bob Robichaud, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Centre, will present the general outlook for the upcoming hurricane season, as well as share steps Canadians can take to be prepared.

36. Cape Smokey to become premier year-round tourism destination

    Major renovations and development at local ski hill brings investment and jobs to Ingonish

37. Minister MacAulay to Make an Energy Efficiency Announcement

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAuley, Minister of Veterans Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources; and with Garth Frizzell, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; Philip Brown, Mayor of the City of Charlottetown; Steve Ogden, Mayor of the Town of Stratford; and Wendy Donovan, Mayor of the Town of Wolfville; will make a virtual announcement for energy efficiency.

38. Canada Announces New Energy and Emissions Database

    Lenore Zann, Member of Parliament for Cumberland–Colchester, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an $80,000 investment to Sustainability Solutions Group to support the development of the Municipal Energy and Emission Database (MEED), an integrated geospatial platform that tracks greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for municipalities across Canada.

39. Canada Investing $10 million to Create Jobs for New Energy Advisors

    Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, launched a call for proposals to create good middle-class jobs through the federal government’s $2.6 billion green retrofit program.

40. Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister O’Regan and Minister Qualtrough to Make Energy Efficiency Announcement

    Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister O’Regan and Minister Qualtrough to Make Energy Efficiency Announcement

41. Ministers O’Regan and Qualtrough to Make Energy Efficiency Announcement

    The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, will make a virtual announcement to support energy efficiency in the residential sector.

42. Canada to Announce Funding for Municipal Energy Project 

    Lenore Zann, Member of Parliament for Cumberland–Colchester, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, will announce funding for a municipal energy project.

43. Canada Invests in a Greener Ottawa

    Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., the Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Catherine McKenna, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced that the Ottawa Community Foundation is launching the Ottawa Climate Action Fund (OCAF) as a member of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) network.

44. Minister O’Regan and Minister McKenna to Make Climate Action Announcement

    The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Garth Frizzell, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, will make a virtual announcement for greener cities.

45. Canada Invests in Energy-Efficient Buildings in New Brunswick

    Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an investment of $469,973 to Service New Brunswick’s Energy Management branch to support the implementation of a government-wide energy management and reporting system.

46. Call for Proposals for Innovative Forest Sector Technologies 

    Canada’s forest sector is a vital source of jobs for Canadians and provides economic, social and environmental benefits across the country. The sector leads innovation through clean technologies, building on a strong foundation that includes a world leading sustainable forest management system.

47. Canada Supports Mining Literacy During National Mining Week

    The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced $130,000 for five projects to promote mineral literacy and build a more inclusive mining industry.

48. Statement by Minister O’Regan Regarding Line 5 

    Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, released the following statement on the filing of an amicus curiae brief regarding the Line 5 pipeline in United States federal court.

49. Minister O'Regan to Announce Funding for The Rooms

    The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (St. John's South–Mount Pearl), will announce funding for The Rooms public cultural space in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

50. Minister Wilkinson to participate in fireside chat at the Making Nature Investable virtual summit

    Media representatives are advised that the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will participate in a fireside chat with the President and CEO of Nature Conservancy of Canada, Catherine Grenier, at the Making Nature Investable virtual summit.