Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a $3.8 billion funding initiative on Tuesday to safeguard nature, aligning with the government’s conservation objectives. Alongside public funds, the government aims to attract private sector investments to support the conservation strategy, which includes establishing new national parks and marine reserves.
During a press conference in Wakefield, Quebec, Carney emphasized the need for substantial funding to realize the ambitious creation of protected spaces, stating that public funds alone are insufficient for the task. The government’s target is to preserve 30% of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030, with the current protected land area standing at approximately 14%.
The conservation goals were set by the Trudeau administration after the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal in 2022. Concerns have been raised by environmental organizations regarding the government’s ability to match its conservation aspirations with long-term financial commitments.
Carney outlined that the new funds will be distributed across three main pillars: protecting nature, promoting sustainable development, and acknowledging the value of nature while mobilizing financial resources. Immediate plans include establishing the Wiinipaawk Indigenous Protected Area and National Marine Conservation Area in eastern James Bay, Quebec, as well as the Seal River Watershed National Park in Manitoba.
Additionally, the government intends to implement “other effective area-based conservation measures” to balance conservation efforts with other activities. Plans include the creation of up to 14 new marine-protected and conserved areas, along with 10 new marine conservation areas. Proposed marine areas in the Arctic, such as Sarvarjuaq and Qikiqtait, aim to safeguard polar bear, walrus, and beluga whale populations.
If realized, these new marine conservation areas would cover 12% of Canada’s waters, increasing the total protected waters to 28%. Carney acknowledged the necessary efforts to bridge the remaining gap towards the conservation target.
The federal Conservatives criticized Carney’s announcement, labeling it as “illusions” and accusing the government of creating new bureaucratic structures without yielding significant environmental improvements. Opposition spokesperson Sam Lilly expressed skepticism, highlighting past failures to meet environmental goals and questioning the effectiveness of setting new targets.
