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December 17th, 2021

NDP fighting to protect our environment

OTTAWA – This week, NDP MP Richard Cannings (South Okanagan—West Kootenay) introduced an Environmental Bill of Rights to ensure all communities can enjoy a guarantee to clean water, land and air. This bill would expand protections for our natural environment, beginning with enshrining the right to a healthy environment into law.

“A healthy environment is an integral part of what makes Canadians proud of our country. We need to enshrine the right to a healthy environment in our legal systems,” said Cannings. “The health and well-being of our communities depends on it.”

This bill will bring Canada into line with more than a hundred countries that have similar legislation and amend the Canadian Bill of Rights to add the right to live in a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. It would also provide the right to public participation in decision-making regarding the environment and the right to access information regarding the environment.

“Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government is not taking bold enough steps to address the environmental crisis people are facing,” said Cannings. “The government promised action. Joining New Democrats in passing this bill will be their chance to show that they are serious about tackling the environmental crisis head on.”