David Suzuki Foundation unveils national environment plan
December 14, 2006 -
...as Minister Ambrose announces government’s departmental strategy
OTTAWA – The David Suzuki Foundation today presented a ‘how-to-guide’ to the federal government in the form of a ready-made sustainability strategy for Canada’s ailing environment.
“It’s truly a gift that keeps on giving,” says Thomas Gunton, report co-author and Simon Fraser University professor. “Canadians want to be on the road to a sustainable future and this report gives our federal leaders a roadmap.”
A National Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada proposes new federal legislation to provide a legal framework for building a clean economy that protects and promotes the health of Canadians and our environment. The report outlines a proposal to fulfill Canada’s international obligation to develop a comprehensive environment plan and turn the nation into a world leader in sustainability and environmental protection.
The release of the report coincides with the announcement of the federal government’s Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies. In making the announcement Minister Ambrose said the government would look at introducing “legislation around national sustainable development.”
“Depending on what the government has in mind, this may be a step in the right direction,” says Pierre Sadik, a senior policy advisor with the David Suzuki Foundation.
Canada agreed to develop a national plan in 1992 at the first Earth Summit in Rio, but has yet to deliver on this commitment.
A recent Foundation study placed Canada among the weakest environmental performers (28th) among 30 industrialized nations. Many of the countries ranking higher, such as Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom, have developed national sustainable development plans.
Mr. Sadik notes that Canada’s poor performance is largely a result of its environmental initiatives lacking cohesion, effectiveness and direction.
“Our federal government’s current patchwork approach to sustainability just doesn’t work,” says Mr. Sadik. “We have a national health care plan, a national education plan, and even a national influenza plan. But unlike many other nations, we do not have a national environmental plan.”
The full report, A National Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada: Putting Canada on the Path to Sustainability Within a Generation, can be found online at: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/Publications.asp
For more information contact:
Jason Curran
Communications Specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
Office: (604) 732-4228, ext. 229
Cell: (604) 961-9591
jcurran@davidsuzuki.org
Pierre Sadik
Senior Policy Advisor
David Suzuki Foundation
Cell: (613) 799-8626
