Liberals and Conservatives vote against Right to Safe, Clean, Healthy Environment as a Human Right

OTTAWA, ON—Today, at the second reading of NDP MP Leah Gazan’s Private Member’s Bill C-232,The Climate Emergency Action Act, Conservatives and Liberals voted to defeat the opportunity to recognize the right to a safe, clean, healthy environment as a human right.

“To turn down this opportunity right now, in the middle of a climate crisis and at a time when we need to plan for post-pandemic green economic transition, is shameful,” said Gazan.

Gazan first introduced Bill C-232 on February 26th, 2020, in order to ensure Canada upholds its international legal climate obligations and recognizes the right of all Canadians to a safe, clean, healthy environment as a human right, as more than 100 countries in the world have already done in their legislation and/or constitution.

“Canada has not met a single climate target that it has set – not a single one. It is a slap in the face to science and will not allow us to meet climate targets,” said Gazan. “Young people, Indigenous peoples and civil society groups want action and accountability from this government and I will continue to fight for this.”