National environmental organizations release federal party positions on 11 key environmental issues

As Angus Reid poll confirms climate remains a top election issue, survey educates voters on most pressing environmental issues

September 9, 2021, OTTAWA | Unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People — Yesterday, Canada’s leading environmental organizations released responses from all federal parties to a Federal Party Survey on Environmental Platforms. Survey questions address the climate, nature, toxics and waste crises harming Canada, as well as issues around Indigenous rights. The survey was distributed to the five main political parties in August 2021.

The survey represents the collective priorities of Canada’s leading environmental organizations and outlines the actions required to adequately address the environmental protection, economic justice and Indigenous rights issues facing everyone in Canada. The non-partisan survey was developed to help voters make informed decisions leading up to and on September 20.

“We know environmental and social justice are among the most pressing issues for voters this election, but we’re also hearing that voters aren’t sure which party or parties have legitimate plans to help solve the climate crisis, protect and restore nature, fight toxic pollution and defend environmental rights – particularly Indigenous rights – urgently this decade,” said Megan Leslie, president and CEO of WWF Canada and spokesperson for the One Earth One Vote coalition. “It’s never been more important for voters to vote, and when we do, vote for candidates committed to a sustainable and equitable future.”

– 30 –

The Federal Party Survey on Environmental Platforms can be accessed at: election2021envirosurvey.ca / election2021ecosondage.ca (see summary of answers here: election2021envirosurvey.ca/responses).

The survey represents the collective priorities of: CPAWS, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecology Action Centre, Équiterre, Environmental Defence, Greenpeace, Nature Canada, Stand.earth, Sierra Club Canada Foundation, West Coast Environmental Law Association, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, WWF-Canada

For more information or a media interview, please contact:

ENGLISH: Brendan Glauser, [email protected], (604) 356-8829 / Tracy Walden, twalden@localhost, (613) 915-4857

FRENCH: Anthony Côté Leduc, [email protected], (514) 605-2000

About One Earth One Vote

A green and just recovery for Canada means, above all, investing in a society that places people’s health and the well-being of natural ecosystems that sustain all species above corporate profits. That means that any investments made cannot set environmental progress back, undermine environmental justice, or be incompatible with Canada’s environmental commitments.

About CPAWS

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater, and ocean with a strong national and regional presence across the country. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we are focused on conserving nature to respond to the dual crises of accelerated biodiversity loss and climate change. Our vision is that at least half of land, freshwater, and ocean in Canada is permanently protected to sustain nature and people for current and future generations. For more information about CPAWS and the work we do to safeguard Canada’s natural heritage, visit cpaws.org. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Donate today. Take action.