Environment & Natural Resources

1. Minister Guilbeault delivers statement on opening day of COP16 in Cali, Colombia

   Our recent 2030 Nature Strategy, released ahead of COP16, charts our path to achieving our objectives. To hold this and any future government accountable to fulfill those goals, we introduced the Nature Accountability Bill that requires the Government to transparently report on their progress.

2. Government of Canada and Atlantic Coastal Action Program Launch Major Reforestation Project in Cape Breton

   Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney–Victoria, Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, along with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) Cape Breton announced a joint investment of more than $1.2 million to plant over 208,000 trees in eastern Cape Breton through the 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program.

3. Speech for the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, at the Canadian Climate Institute and Net-Zero Advisory Body's Fourth Annual Climate Conference

   Speech for the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, at the Canadian Climate Institute and Net-Zero Advisory Body's Fourth Annual Climate Conference

4. Canada strengthens protection of freshwater with launch of standalone Canada Water Agency

   Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, officially announced the establishment of the Canada Water Agency as a standalone federal entity headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

5. Standalone Canada Water Agency launches

   The Canada Water Agency is a Government of Canada agency under the Minister of Environment and Climate Change portfolio.

6. Double Double: October 15th Canada Carbon Rebate delivers boost for rural families

   Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, visited community members at a local coffee shop in Gananoque, Ontario, to announce the latest quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate payments are being delivered to their bank accounts and mailboxes, with a one-time “double double” rural top-up

7. Canada Carbon Rebate rural top-up, 2024 and 2025

   Canada’s approach to pollution pricing is also designed to put money back into people’s pockets.

8. Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd. in Alberta fined $1 million for unlawful deposit of effluent into the Peace River

   On October 11, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice, Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd. (Mercer Peace River) was ordered to pay a $1 million fine after pleading guilty on September 4, 2024, to one count of violating the Fisheries Act.

9. Minister Guilbeault to hold media availability on the Canada Carbon Rebate and increased rural supplement

   Media representatives and others are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will hold a community-level event and media availability on the Canada Carbon Rebate.

10. Launch of the Canada Water Agency

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water, will announce the official launch of the Canada Water Agency

11. Joint Statement on Critical Minerals and Critical Raw Materials Cooperation

    On the margins of the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Industry and Technological Innovation, chaired by Minister Urso and attended virtually by Minister Champagne, Canada and Italy released the following Statement of Intent for Canada and Italy to deepen collaboration on critical minerals and critical raw materials:

12. Minister Wilkinson to Participate in Clean Energy–Related Engagements in Toronto

    The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will be participating in a fireside chat with the Toronto Regional Board of Trade.

13. The State of Canada’s Birds 2024 report shows deliberate conservation efforts are having a positive impact  

    Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada released The State of Canada’s Birds 2024 report. Findings indicate that while many of Canada’s bird populations continue to decline, others have increased due to deliberate and informed conservation efforts.

14. Release of The State of Canada’s Birds 2024 report

    Developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada, The State of Canada’s Birds 2024 report provides accessible, scientific insight into the population status of 463 bird species that occur regularly in Canada.

15. Government of Canada to Hold Mining Engagements in Sudbury

    The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, Marc Serré, will speak at the 2024 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Conference of Mining Regions and Cities.

16. Government of Canada Announces Support for Indigenous-led Climate Solutions in Remote Indigenous Communities

    The Government of Canada is pleased to announce Phase 2 of the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI) Cohort 2. During this phase, the following 10 Energy Champion teams from remote Indigenous communities and Nations will receive up to $500,000 to conduct community engagement, complete training and develop their Community Energy Plan.

17. Government of Canada Passes Legislation to Seize the Enormous Economic Opportunity Offshore Wind Presents for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador

    The offshore renewable energy sector presents a generational economic opportunity for Canada, with the global offshore wind market alone forecast to attract one trillion dollars in investment by 2040. Canada, in partnership with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, is working to seize this unprecedented economic opportunity and create jobs for Atlantic Canadians.

18. Government of Canada Advances Small Modular Reactor Research and Development With $13.6-Million Investment

    Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced funding of $13.6 million from National Resources Canada’s Enabling Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Program for nine research projects to promote the safe, commercial development of SMRs to contribute to our low-carbon economy and help fight climate change.

19. The company Avjet Holding inc. fined $200,000 for violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

    On October 1, 2024, Avjet Holding inc., a company specializing in aviation fuel distribution, was fined $200,000 by the Court of Québec.

20. Strengthening protections from pollution and the right to a healthy environment

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced a framework to protect the right to a healthy environment through the modernization and administration of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)

21. Modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, strengthening chemicals management, and protecting the right to a healthy environment for all

    The Government of Canada is taking steps to implement the modernized Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), which recognizes in its preamble that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment as provided under CEPA.

22. The Government of Canada to make an announcement on the Right to a Healthy Environment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and chemicals management in Canada

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make an announcement on the Right to a Healthy Environment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and chemicals management in Canada

23. Funding for First Nations Guardians now managed by world’s first Indigenous-led national stewardship network

    Today, Jaimee Gaunce, Executive Director of the First Nations National Guardians Network (NGN), joined the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario; and Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, to announce the investment of up to $27.6 million to support 80 First Nations Guardians initiatives.

24. Indigenous Guardians projects 2024–2025

    Today, Jaimee Gaunce, Executive Director of the First Nations National Guardians Network (NGN), joined the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario; and Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, to announce the investment of up to $27.6 million to support 80 First Nations Guardians initiatives.

25. Minister Guilbeault issues statement following Canada–Norway ministerial on plastic pollution on the margins of the 79th United Nations General Assembly

    The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, issued the following statement as Canada and Norway conclude the ministerial consultation on the plastic pollution treaty on the margins of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and ahead of the fifth and final negotiations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in the Republic of Korea later this year.

26. First Nations National Guardians Network joins Ministers Guilbeault and Hajdu to announce major investment in Indigenous-led stewardship initiatives

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make an announcement on Indigenous-led stewardship initiatives.

27. Climate change fuels August heat waves across Canada – Results from Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution system demonstrate that human-caused climate change made heat waves at least 10 times more likely in August in some instances

    Analysis from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution has shown that, in all cases, human-caused climate change made heat waves in August 2024 more likely to have occurred. In some instances, it was at least 10 times more likely.

28. Canada Highlights Significant Funding to Unlock More Critical Minerals Development in the Yukon

    Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for the Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, highlighted an important announcement of up to $40 million in funding, pending final due diligence from Natural Resources Canada, for critical minerals infrastructure developments in the Yukon. This funding would be provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF)

29. Canada Announces Significant Funding to Unlock More Critical Minerals Development in Northern British Columbia and the Yukon

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, with the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and the Honourable Ranj Pillai, Premier of the Yukon, announced up to $60 million in conditionally approved investments for two critical minerals infrastructure developments in B.C.’s Golden Triangle and the Yukon. This funding would be provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF).

30. Turning the tide: Federal dollars to clean pollution and deliver clean water for Great Lakes communities

    Today, Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh, and Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water, announced one of the largest single investments in freshwater restoration in Canadian history: $76 million to support 50 partner-led projects as part of the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.

31. The Government of Canada invests $76 million to support 50 partner-led projects as part of the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative

    Through the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (2021–2026), the governments of Canada and Ontario support delivery of the commitments in the Canada–US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

32. Member of Parliament for Yukon, Brendan Hanley, to Make a Critical Minerals Announcement

    WHITEHORSE — Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will make a funding announcement in support of critical minerals infrastructure. He will be joined by Yukon’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, the Honourable John Streicker. A media availability will follow.

33. The Government of Canada to make an announcement on funding through the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative

    Media representatives are advised that Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water, and Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, will make a funding announcement through the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.

34. 11204572 Canada Corporation ordered to pay $50,000 for violating the Fisheries Act in hydrocarbon release 

    On September 17, 2024, 11204572 Canada Corporation pleaded guilty in the Provincial Court of Ontario, in Toronto, to one charge of depositing a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish, in contravention of the Fisheries Act

35. Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable, Secure and Non-Emitting Electricity in Nova Scotia

    Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable, Secure and Non-Emitting Electricity in Nova Scotia

36. Enforcement patrols during the 2023 fall migratory bird hunting season net $35,000 in court fines for seven hunters in Newfoundland and Labrador

    Enforcement officers carried out a series of patrols in collaboration with partner agencies, resulting in charges and $35,000 in total court-ordered fines for seven hunters provincewide for offences under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022. In addition to the fines, the convicted hunters are prohibited from holding a migratory game-bird hunting permit, and from hunting migratory birds for a period of one year

37. Government of Canada Investments in Electric Vehicles

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment of $14.9 million for 20 projects to advance zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, codes and standards, and education across Canada.

38. Government of Canada advances environmental education across Canada with $2.9 million investment

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the awarding of $2.9 million to eight Canadian organizations for projects dedicated to environmental education and climate literacy

39. Government of Canada invests $2.9 million in 8 environmental education projects across the country

    Funded projects list

40. Government of Canada to Make an Announcement on Keeping Power Rates Down

    Government of Canada to Make an Announcement on Keeping Power Rates Down

41. First Goose Moon Table report highlights progress of Métis Nation on climate action

    Today, the Goose Moon Table (previously the Métis Nation–Canada Joint Table on Clean Growth and Climate Change) released its first annual progress report detailing the fruits of that partnership.

42. Supporting habitat stewardship projects for Monarchs and other species at risk in Ontario and across Canada

    Today, Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced up to $6.2 million in funding through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk

43. Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk projects 2024–2025

    Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk projects 2024–2025

44. Government of Canada to make a funding announcement supporting species at risk across Canada

    Media representatives are advised that Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make a funding announcement on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk to support conservation projects across Canada.

45. Government of Canada invests more than $4.9 million to protect significant habitats in Mauricie

    The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, today announced that more than 560 hectares in Mauricie will now be protected by Nature-Action Québec (NAQ).

46. Pointe-du-Chêne wharf rebuilds and strengthens

    Federal and provincial investments support hurricane recovery and preparedness

47. Minister Guilbeault to make a funding announcement to protect habitat of importance in the Mauricie region

    Media representatives and others are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make a funding announcement to protect habitat of importance in the Mauricie region. He will be joined by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, as well as Pascal Bigras, Executive Director, Nature-Action Québec.

48. Government of Canada to Make Emergency Preparedness Announcement

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, along with the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Bowinn Ma, B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, will make an important announcement regarding emergency preparedness in B.C. They will be joined by Wilson Miao, Member of Parliament for Richmond Centre, B.C.

49. Governments to announce support for Pointe-du-Chêne wharf

    Governments to announce support for Pointe-du-Chêne wharf

50. Strengthening the Mont Saint-Hilaire biosphere and the entire UNESCO biosphere network across Canada

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that, from 2023 to 2026, the Government of Canada will invest over $11.7 million in funding for the Canadian Biosphere Regions Association and the 19 UNESCO biosphere regions of Canada