Environment & Natural Resources

1. Key international meeting on legally binding international plastic pollution agreement set for Canada in 2024

   At the conclusion of the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) on Plastic Pollution meeting in Paris, France, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that Canada looks forward to bringing the world together for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) on Plastic Pollution in Ottawa in April 2024.

2. City of Leduc to Plant 20,000 Trees as Part of the 2 Billion Trees Program

   The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and Bob Young, Mayor of the City of Leduc, announced a $363,000 contribution to Leduc’s Urban Tree Canopy Expansion project. Leduc will plant 20,000 trees supported by federal funding through the 2 Billion Trees program.

3. Federal Investment to Support Clean Energy Planning with QUEST Canada, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Frog Lake First Nation

   The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced $650,000 in funding for QUEST Canada to evolve and adapt its Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy (AIRE) for Indigenous Communities project to expand knowledge of local energy systems and developing pathways to accelerate clean energy opportunities in their community.

4. The Government of Canada Provides Update on Firefighter Training and Support for Canadians Through the 2023 Wildfire Season

   The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources; the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services; the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance; and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, provided an update on the actions that the Government of Canada has taken so far to support communities impacted and threatened by wildfires and how it will continue to support Canadians through this year’s fire season and future seasons.

5. Media Technical Briefing and Press Conference regarding an Update on the 2023 Wildfire Season

   Media Technical Briefing and Press Conference regarding an Update on the 2023 Wildfire Season

6. PS Dabrusin Announces Federal Funding to Support Energy-Efficient Home Construction and Renovations across Canada

   Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced $1.3 million in funding to CHBA over five years to accelerate the uptake of innovative technologies for both new housing and the retrofit of existing homes.

7. Parliamentary Secretary Dabrusin to Make an Announcement with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association 

   OTTAWA— Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make a funding announcement with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association in Ottawa. Media availability will follow.

8. Readout: Meeting of federal-provincial-territorial Ministers responsible for conservation, wildlife, and biodiversity – Federal-provincial-territorial Ministers commit to collaborative approach on renewed National Biodiversity Strategy

   In the lead-up to the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Ministers met in June 2021 to discuss ways to enhance collaboration on area-based conservation, anticipated contributions to the pending adoption of a new Global Biodiversity Framework, and the ongoing work under the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada. Significant progress has been made over the last two years, including announcements at COP15.

9. CANCELLED: Minister Guilbeault to make a significant funding announcement in support of affordable, clean heating for Nova Scotians

   CANCELLED: Minister Guilbeault to make a significant funding announcement in support of affordable, clean heating for Nova Scotians

10. Minister Wilkinson Provides Spring Update on Support for Canadian EV Economy, Announces Nearly 3,000 New Chargers in Ontario

    Electric vehicles (EVs) are not only helping keep our air clean, they are helping Canadians save money — from cheaper refuelling to lower maintenance costs. The widespread shift to EVs is also a tremendous economic opportunity as manufacturing jobs are being created across the country to meet the demands along the EV value chain.

11. New Electric Vehicle-Related Investments Across Ontario and Canada

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a total investment of $13,645,449 in 30 projects to install up to 1,908 Level 2 and 100 Level 3 EV chargers, with the majority located in Ontario. Project details are included in the table below, with funding through Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) and Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative.

12. Canada and Brock University invest in climate action project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced an investment of approximately $2.9 million from the Low Carbon Economy Fund to support Brock University’s District Energy System Electrification Project. Brock University is also contributing up to $3.2 million toward this project.

13. Statement on the opening of the second negotiation session to develop an international, legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC-2)

    Statement on the opening of the second negotiation session to develop an international, legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC-2)

14. Environment and Climate Change Canada presents the 2023 hurricane season outlook

    Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Hurricane Centre provided the Canadian context to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s outlook for the 2023 hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30.

15. MP Longfield Announces Over 1,800 New Chargers in Guelph and Across Canada

    Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced funding to install over 1,800 new EV chargers in Guelph and across the country, including:

16. Canada and Manitoba accelerate the move to renewable energy through $38.2 million investment

    Today, Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Kevin Klein, Minister of Environment and Climate for Manitoba, announced up to $38.2 million in funding from the Low Carbon Economy Fund to support the Efficient Trucking Program and Manitoba’s merit-based program.

17. New Federal Call for Proposals to Decarbonize On-Road Transportation

    Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a new call for proposals to support research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects that will help lower or eliminate emissions from the on-road transportation sector.

18. MP Longfield to Make an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Announcement

    Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, will announce new support for electric vehicle infrastructure across Canada.

19. Canada Invests in a Net-Zero Roadmap to Support Electricity Modernization in Saint John

    Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced nearly $4 million for Saint John Energy’s Zero30 initiative. This initiative includes developing a comprehensive net-zero roadmap to drive down operational emissions while advancing affordability by providing ratepayers with more innovative options.

20. Minister Guilbeault rallies pan-Canadian effort to support ambitious nature protection goals brokered at COP15

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada will bring provincial and territorial governments and national Indigenous organizations together on May 25–26, to discuss halting and reversing biodiversity loss in Canada.

21. Minister Guilbeault to join provincial and territorial environment ministers for meetings on conservation, wildlife, and biodiversity

    Minister Guilbeault to join provincial and territorial environment ministers for meetings on conservation, wildlife, and biodiversity

22. MP Mendès Announces 10,000 New Federally-Funded Trees for Saint-Lambert

    Alexandra Mendès, Member of Parliament for Brossard–Saint-Lambert, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and Pascale Mongrain, Mayor of Saint-Lambert, announced nearly $400,000 in federal funding under the 2 Billion Trees program to support the planting of 10,000 trees in Saint-Lambert.

23. Environment and Climate Change Canada presents the 2023 hurricane season outlook

    Media representatives are advised that Bob Robichaud, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Hurricane Centre, will present the general outlook for the upcoming 2023 hurricane season.

24. MP Long to Make Announcement to Support Electricity Modernization in Saint John

    SAINT JOHN — Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, New Brunswick, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, will make an electricity modernization announcement with Saint John Energy in Saint John, New Brunswick. A media availability will follow.

25. Government of Canada taking next step in addressing “forever chemicals” PFAS

    The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians and the environment from the effects of chemical substances. Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced the publication of the draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report.

26. Government of Canada publishes the draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report

    In 2021, the Government of Canada announced its intention to move forward with activities to address the broad class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in recognition of scientific evidence that suggests that all PFAS may be associated with environmental and/or human health effects.

27. International Day for Biological Diversity 2023

    International Day for Biological Diversity 2023

28. The Government of Canada to hold a technical briefing on “forever chemicals”: Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Report

    Media representatives are advised that senior officials from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada will jointly hold a bilingual technical briefing on the draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report. The Report is a draft assessment of the potential risks of these substances to the environment and human health.

29. Industrial Facility Call for Proposals Now Open Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, opened funding applications for ‘industrial facilities’ under the Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program. This $194 -million initiative allows for industrial facilities to receive up to $10 million per proposal, directly supporting industry in implementing energy efficiency projects within individual facilities.

30. Government of Canada launches pilot to support innovative funding opportunities for conservation

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, launched the Conservation Exchange Pilot, an innovative, science-based initiative designed to enable more conservation work in Canada.

31. Parliamentary Secretary Dabrusin Announces Federally Supported ZEV Awareness Projects and New Online ZEV Hub

    Reducing pollution from the transportation sector is helping to fight climate change and ensure clean air in our communities. That’s why the Government of Canada is helping Canadians across the country make the switch to a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV).

32. Electric Vehicle-Related Investments

    On May 17, 2023, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, announced a combined federal investment totalling nearly $5.9 million in 28 organizations across Canada to undertake zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) awareness projects. These projects will help Canadians know about the clean options available when choosing their next vehicle.

33. Conservation Exchange Pilot

    The Conservation Exchange Pilot is encouraging businesses to invest in biodiversity conservation. Through the three-year pilot (ending March 2024), businesses that fund conservation projects will receive a certificate from the Government of Canada which recognizes the value of the conservation work they are funding.

34. Capital Regional District in British Columbia contributes to Canada’s national conservation network, supporting nature, and combatting climate change

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, commended the Capital Regional District on Vancouver Island for its contribution to conservation in Canada. They have officially recognized all 33 of the regional parks under their jurisdiction in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

35. PS Dabrusin to Deliver Remarks at EV & Charging Expo

    TORONTO — Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, will deliver remarks and make an announcement at EV & Charging Expo — an electric vehicle conference, produced by Electric Autonomy Canada.

36. Capital Regional District recognizes 33 regional parks in national database

    Capital Regional District recognizes 33 regional parks in national database

37. Government of Canada and FCM invest in new energy-saving program for older high-rise towers in Toronto

    Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and Scott Pearce, Acting President of FCM, announced an investment of $13,507,270 for the City of Toronto’s Taking Action on Tower Renewal (TATR) program.

38. Minister Guilbeault launches consultations on the development of Canada’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy

    Today the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, launched the consultation with Canadians on the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy for Canada.

39. PS Julie Dabrusin to Make an Energy Efficiency Upgrade Program Announcement 

    PS Julie Dabrusin, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources; Rory Nisan, Vice-President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and City Councillor for Burlington; Jennifer McKelvie, Deputy Mayor for the city of Toronto; and Heather McDonald, CEO of LOFT Community Services, will make an energy efficiency upgrade program announcement in Toronto.

40. Minister Guilbeault to make an announcement on engaging Canadians on the future of protecting nature and biodiversity in Canada

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make an announcement on engaging Canadians on the future of protecting nature and biodiversity in Canada at the Biosphère in Montréal, Quebec.

41. Canada sparks progress on clean electricity with federal funding in Saskatchewan

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada is fulfilling its commitment to return approximately $174 million of pollution pricing proceeds through the Future Electricity Fund. The Future Electricity Fund returns proceeds to support clean-energy projects, energy-efficient technologies, and other initiatives that will help Canada meet its climate goals and achieve a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

42. Minister Guilbeault’s statement on World Migratory Bird Day

    The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, issued the following statement to mark World Migratory Bird Day on May 13.

43. Minister Guilbeault to deliver remarks on environmental diplomacy at the Montréal Council on Foreign Relations

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will deliver remarks on Canada’s environmental diplomacy at the Montréal Council on Foreign Relations.

44. Minister Guilbeault announces $187 million to support projects in Quebec for clean air and a strong economy

    Today, while speaking at the Montréal Climate Summit, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced up to $187 million from the Leadership stream part of the Low Carbon Economy Fund to support Quebec projects.

45. FCM and Government of Canada Make Strategic Investments to Improve Urban Sustainability in Quebec

    The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and FCM Acting President Scott Pearce announced more than $1.5 million through the Green Municipal Fund to support 18 local initiatives across Quebec, including in communities across the Greater Montreal region.

46. Backgrounder: FCM and the Government of Canada make strategic investments to improve urban sustainability in Quebec

    The following initiatives have been approved for funding through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), which is funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).Funding for these 18 initiatives amounts to $1,559,375

47. Minister Guilbeault Announces Federal Support to Plant Over 275,000 New Trees Across Montreal Region  

    As part of the Montreal Climate Summit, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced over $40 million in federal funding under the 2 Billion Trees program for three tree-planting initiatives across Montreal and Vaudreuil-Dorion, which will collectively support the planting of over 275,000 trees.

48. Minister Guilbeault to hold a media availability during Montréal Climate Summit

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will attend the Montréal Climate Summit in Montréal, Quebec, on May 10, 2023. During the second day of the summit, he will deliver remarks and make significant announcements on tree planting projects in Montréal and Quebec’s clean energy transition.

49. Minister Wilkinson to Deliver Remarks at the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, will deliver remarks at the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

50. Minister Wilkinson Launches Canada Electricity Advisory Council to Help Build Canada’s Clean Electricity Future  

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, launched the Canada Electricity Advisory Council, an independent body of 19 experts who will provide the Government of Canada with advice on actions needed to achieve our 2035 and 2050 net-zero emissions goals as they pertain to electricity.