Nature is What Makes Canada Great
And It’s Time to Protect It Because Our Future Depends On It
Canadians take pride in our vast forests, pristine lakes, frozen tundra, rugged coastlines, and sweeping grasslands. These landscapes aren’t just scenery – they’re who we are. When our identity and sovereignty is under threat, we respond with unity and nationalism.
From childhood memories of summer camping trips to hunting or fishing, filling the freezer and sharing a good meal with friends or family, nature is our heartbeat, woven into the very fabric of our national identity.
It’s not surprising that a recent survey confirms this deep connection: Canadians overwhelmingly associate our abundant natural beauty and resources with what it means to be Canadian. And yet, in the face of economic uncertainty, growing geopolitical tensions, unprecedented mistrust in corporations, and an accelerating climate and biodiversity crises, our natural heritage, our way of life, and our freedom is at risk.
For generations, management of Canada’s natural resources and lands has been fundamental to our national identity. Today, with increasing pressure from international interests — including recent aggressive action by the United States over energy and natural resources— protecting our lands and waters isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a matter of national security and economic resilience.
At a time when Canadians are looking for unity and a better future, conservation offers both. It’s about more than protecting species — it’s about defending our way of life, our economy, and our independence in a world that is changing fast. Investing in nature means supporting what makes Canada extraordinary.
In recent years, investments in nature have supported local economies, strengthened rural and Indigenous communities, and reinforced Canada’s role as an environmental leader and responsible steward. But now, these investments are set to expire. Without continued action, the progress we’ve made could vanish.
If we fail to act, our children will inherit fewer wild places to spend time in. Wildlife, resources that we depend on, and beautiful natural spaces that we cherish will be lost. Now is the time to ensure that the lands and waters we love remain healthy and accessible for all.
Advertorial in National Post March 6th
Conservation isn’t a left-or-right issue — it’s a Canadian issue.
Protecting nature benefits everyone. Whether you’re a farmer in Saskatchewan, a fisherman on the East Coast, a family enjoying the outdoors together or an industry leader, we have one thing in common: our love for this land. Nature strengthens local economies, supports clean water and air, and connects us all.
Canada has always been a leader in conservation, recognizing that protecting nature is essential to our way of life. In a 2012 speech, then Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “As Conservatives, we believe in both environmental protection and economic growth. And we believe there is no inherent contradiction in that.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in 2024, “Protecting the planet isn’t just about having clean air and fresh water today. It’s also about fairness – about making sure we can pass on the Canada we know and love to future generations…while creating opportunities by growing our clean economy.”
In an election year, every political party should recognize that protecting nature is good policy, good economics, and good politics. It’s what Canadians want, and it’s what Canada needs.
Photo credit: Jess Zoerb
We are at a crossroads.
Without renewed and expanded investments in conservation, Canada risks falling behind, not just in environmental leadership, but in economic security and global standing.
As political leaders prepare their platforms, they must remember this: nature is not a luxury. It’s a legacy. A strong commitment to nature conservation will not only unite Canadians but will secure our sovereignty, strengthen our economy, and define our national identity for generations to come.
Now is the time to act. Let’s protect what makes Canada great. Let’s ensure that centuries from now, when someone asks a Canadian what their most cherished childhood memories are, just like their parents and grandparents, many of them involve the wild spaces we love so much.
Sandra Schwartz,
National Executive Director,
CPAWS
Banner credit: Aaron Burden
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We’re sure you’ll agree that nature defines us in Canada. It is a part of our identity, and it is the backbone of our economy, culture, and way of life. But right now, it is under threat.