The Maple Leaf in the OECD

Canada is one of the worst environmental performers in the industrialized world, according to a comprehensive report released by the David Suzuki Foundation in October 2005.

"The Canada we see in this report does not reflect the one we hold in our hearts," says Dr. David Suzuki. "Canadians expect more and they expect better. We should be outraged that we are among the worst in the industrialized world." 

The Maple Leaf in the OECD: Comparing progress toward sustainability finds Canada ranks 28th out of the 30 member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based on 29 key environmental indicators. These include: energy consumption, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, pesticide use, and amount of protected areas.

Read the executive summary (PDF)

The study was conducted by an independent team of multidisciplinary researchers at Simon Fraser University under the direction of Dr. Thomas Gunton.

"Our research found Canada’s environmental performance to be surprisingly low," says Dr. Gunton. "Canada lags behind in almost every performance indicator."

Canada’s worst showings include:

• 28th in energy consumption
• 26th in greenhouse gas emissions
• 29th in water consumption
• 27th in sulfur oxides pollution
• 30th in nuclear waste and carbon monoxide

Canada fared better in:

• recycling (ninth)
• pesticide use (eighth)

Canada did not place first in any of the 29 indicators.

Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are two times higher, and major smog-causing air pollutants are two-to-three times higher than the average for other industrialized countries.

Countries, such as Sweden, have proven that combining lower levels of pollution with high incomes is possible: all it requires is a strong commitment from government.

The study found Canada has shown no improvement over the last decade. Canada’s rank today is the same as it was in 1992: 28th out of 30.

Dr. Suzuki called on the federal government to pass a National Sustainability Act, which would require Canada to create a plan on how to reach sustainability. This plan would include clear targets to improve our environmental performance, a timeline and clear accountabilities.

A year after this report was released the David Suzuki Foundation worked with Dr. Gunton to develop draft legislation of a National Sustainability Act, designed to help the federal government move along with the process.

"It is obvious that Canada will not improve its performance unless we enact specific legislation that lays out clear targets and timelines," says Dr. Suzuki. "

According to Dr. Gunton, a National Sustainability Act would provide the necessary legislative framework to ensure Canada does not continue to fall further behind other industrialized countries.

"With Canada’s vast natural resources and knowledge base we should be an environmental superstar," says Dr. Gunton. "All we need now is leadership."

The Maple Leaf in the OECD: Comparing progress toward sustainability is based on a study that evaluated 29 key environmental indicators using the latest data published by the OECD. The study was submitted to a peer review by experts in the private, public and non-governmental sector.

All documents in PDF format:
Download The Maple Leaf in the OECD (English) (950 kb)
Download the executive summary (English) (140 kb)

Download The Maple Leaf in the OECD (French) (1 MB)
Download the executive summary (French) (144 kb)
Download this news release in French (12 kb)

Download graphs with data from The Maple Leaf in the OECD
Download Canada's Ranking in Key Measurements (1.2 MB)
Download Environmental Ranking of High-Income OECD Countries (1.3 MB)