Prime Minister Mark Carney has introduced a $3.8 billion strategic investment aimed at better protecting Canada’s lands and waters through the creation of new national parks, urban parks, and marine conservation areas.
Nathalie Provost, the Secretary of State for Nature and MP for Chateauguay-Jardins-de-Napier-ville, attended the March 31 announcement which took place at an event in Wakefield, Quebec. The new nature protection strategy will ensure Canada fulfills its “30 x 30” nature conservation goals to protect and conserve 30 per cent of the country’s lands, freshwater, and oceans by 2030.
The strategy will fund the creation of up to 14 new protected and conserved marine areas, and at least ten new national parks and freshwater national marine conservation areas. These will include the Wiinipaawk Indigenous protected area and national marine conservation area in Eastern James Bay, and the Seal River watershed national park in Manitoba.
Up to ten additional national marine conservation areas and 15 national urban parks will also be created. This will protect at least 1.6 million square kilometres of land and up to 700,000 square kilometres of oceans in Canada, increasing terrestrial conservation from 14 per cent to 30 per cent by 2030, and marine conservation from over 15 per cent to just under 30 percent over the next four years.
The plan also includes initiatives to ensure that decisions regarding where and how building projects are located and executed will be conducive to conservation efforts. The government will also work to catalyze private sector investments that help to reverse the decline of nature.
“Canadians’ longstanding commitment to nature is undeniable, and our government is steadfast in its goal of protecting 30 per cent of our lands and waters by 2030,” said Provost, while suggesting the new strategy presents a “bold new vision to reach this target, driven by a results-oriented approach to protect and leverage our natural capital.”
In an interview with The Gleaner, Provost explained that she had conversations with people across the country to better understand how they felt about nature and their thoughts on the most efficient ways to achieve the 30 by 30 goals.
“Now we know where we are going and we are ready to jump into action,” said Provost. She explained that while creating new parks remains important, the strategy emphasizes increasing protected areas through diverse means beyond traditional parks. This leaves space for community-led conservation efforts and opportunities, particularly in urban areas, that are closer to people.
“There is a need to better value and support these initiatives,” she added, noting the new strategy will help people to access and appreciate nature.