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April 24th, 2018

Environment: Liberals need to stop the rhetoric and act

OTTAWA – Yet again, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is crystal clear: this government has failed to show leadership in fulfilling its environmental commitments. The audits that she tabled today reports that the liberal government has no governance structure and no action plan to implement the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Neither has Environment Canada taken action to meet its 2020 targets to preserve our biodiversity.

“Justin Trudeau puts a lot of effort into delivering promises on the international stage, but fails to deliver on those commitments”, explained the NDP Environment Critic, Alexandre Boulerice. “Once again, the commissioner is sounding the alarm, saying that the government is not doing enough to protect the environment and biodiversity. The prime minister and his government must do more.”

On both sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity, the federal government has failed to set targets, to do outreach to Canadians, to devise an implementation plan, to develop clear policies and programs, or consult other levels of government.

“Meetings and consultations can be very productive tools, but they have to be followed up with actions and measures that can be monitored and reported”, said Linda Duncan, NDP Deputy Environment Critic. “That is where, according to the Commissioner, this government has failed.”