OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 13, 2021 /CNW/ - Protecting more nature is an essential part of addressing biodiversity loss and fighting climate change. Here in Canada, working in collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, and other partners is critical to protect and conserve Canada's nature and to recover Canada's species at risk.
Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced as part of the Enhanced Nature Legacy up to $796 million in funding to support provinces and territories and other partners' actions to recover species at risk and protect and conserve lands and freshwater.
This investment includes up to $210 million over five years to support interested provinces and territories to develop bilateral nature agreements with the federal government, $209 million to protect priority ecosystems, and $377 million to support recovery actions for priority species such as boreal caribou, Atlantic salmon and Pacific salmon.
Bilateral nature agreements will be collaboratively developed with provinces and territories to advance our shared interests in a more integrated approach to conserving nature, establish more protected areas, protect and recover species at risk and their habitat, while at the same time advancing Indigenous reconciliation. The agreements will also help support a green recovery by ensuring the coordinated delivery of nature-based solutions to climate change.
Collaboration will be necessary to achieve the changes we need for nature. It is by working closely together with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples and communities, industry, not-for-profit, philanthropic and other stakeholders that we will succeed in protecting nature and build stronger communities.
Today's announcement is a fundamental feature of Budget 2021's commitment to invest an additional $2.3 billion over five years in Canada's Enhanced Nature Legacy to continue supporting nature conservation measures across the country, including Indigenous leadership in conservation.
Quotes
"To address the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, we must all work together?provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, and the federal government?to protect and conserve more nature. Budget 2021's historic $2.3 billion investment in nature conservation includes $796 million to work with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous peoples, and other partners to do just that, including through the establishment of new bilateral nature agreements. By working together to protect nature across the country, we are ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for our children and grandchildren."
? The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
"Protecting and recovering aquatic species at risk is critical to maintaining Canada's biodiversity and healthy marine and freshwater ecosystems. The funding announced today includes an investment of $173 million over five years to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the largest investment allocated to aquatic species at risk to date. Most importantly, it will leverage the expertise of Indigenous, provincial, and territorial partners and support other collaborators across Canada to take in-the-water action to protect and recover the aquatic species at risk that Canadians hold dear."
? The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick facts
Associated links
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
These press releases may also interest you
|