Tabling Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights
Channel: Linda Duncan
Date: 2019-04-05

Madam Speaker, I rise today to re-table the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights. While similar measures have been enacted by some of the provinces and territories, no such law has been enacted at the federal level. The bill enacts into federal domestic  law international commitments made decades ago by Canada and measures recommended by the special rapporteur to the UN Human Rights Council. 
First, my bill enshrines the right of Canadians to a healthy, ecologically balanced environment. 
Second, it enshrines the Government of Canada's public trust duty to protect the environment, including legislating and enforcing environmental protection laws. 
Third, it extends to all Canadians the right to hold their government accountable through access to information, participation in decisions impacting their environment, and standing to seek judicial intervention where those rights are denied.
Enactment of this bill has become all the more critical as environmental rights and protections have been eroded and promised reforms have not been forthcoming.