Downpayment on Nature Would Make Canada Stonger: Nature Strategy (post-announcement release)

Full title: Downpayment on Nature Would Make Canada Safer and Stronger

Media Statement: For Immediate Release, March 31st, 2026

Sierra Club Canada is cautiously pleased with the Federal Government’s announcement with regard to nature today in Wakefield, Quebec. Polling shows nature is central to Canadians’ identity, even exceeding hockey, and today’s announcement of $3.8 billion of new funding, and commitment to conservation hopefully reflects this priority. The organization continues to be concerned about relying on market-based approaches, as well as cuts to other environmental safety initiatives and decisions regarding oil and gas development at the Federal level that threaten to undermine nature protection (see below and sources). They also urge the Federal Government to take the lead as some provinces are failing on nature protection.

Quotes:

“At a time of global uncertainty, nature is our best safety net, something the majority of Canadians appreciate,” according to Gretchen Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada. “As the US dismantles environmental protections, we need to up our game and see nature as a strength, not a “nice to have.” We are cautiously pleased with this announcement and that concrete steps are being taken to achieve our conservation targets. Work remains on integrating our responsibility to nature in all aspects of the government’s priorities, nationally and internationally.”

“We are pleased to see an ongoing $1.8 million commitment to join the High Seas Treaty. This means we will step up on protecting ecosystems in the high seas which may be under threat from deep sea mining, oil and gas, and overfishing. We are looking for more leadership on this front: the federal government has agreed to pay royalties of up to $1 billion on behalf of an international oil company for oil extracted beyond Canada’s territory – incentivizing drilling in ocean ecosystems that are part of the world’s shared heritage. While this announcement is a  great investment, backtracking in other areas means we may still be treading water when it comes to biodiversity loss,” says Ole Hendrickson, Conservation Committee Chair at Sierra Club Canada.

“For a small investment, huge advances can happen because youth can and will take action for nature. For example, Sierra Youth volunteers are dedicated to protecting native species by planting pollinator seeds that are key to protecting biodiversity, and food production. We do this because we know that intact and thriving ecosystems are a key component of our future,” according to Sydney Beres, Sierra Youth Director. “Just as we want to be able to buy a home one day, we want to ensure we are making a downpayment on our collective home in nature.”

“Grassroots community groups and volunteers across the country step up every single day to safeguard vital forests, wetlands, and threatened species  – areas such as Lorne Mountain and the Ginns Eco-Park in Cantley, across the Tenàgàdino Zibi (Gatineau River) from Wakefield QC. We know how vital nature is to the continued safety of fresh water, clean air, and quality of life,” according to David Snider, past Board President of Sierra Club Canada. “This support is vital. Without strong federal leadership, backed by laws and regulations, species at risk and iconic landscapes are under threat.”

The announcement today is at odds with the Federal Government’s recent decision to subsidize Equinor’s Bay du Nord oil project to the tune of up to $1 billion. Bay du Nord is a project with a 16% chance of an extremely large oil spill according to DFO research where capping a well blowout would take 18-36 days (during which time oil would flow into the North Atlantic and thus somewhat defeating the purpose of any affected Marine Protected Areas). It is also at odds with the fact that the Federal Government has already cut critical capacity in keeping Canadians safe from wildfires and other climate impacts, as well as capacity to contain oil spills and ensure dangerous goods move safely on our railways (See sources 1,2,3,4, and 5 below).

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For interviews please contact: Media@sierraclub.ca

Other sources / relevant reporting:

1) https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whatonearth/environment-canada-cuts-9.7073623

2) https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/05/news/cuts-natural-resources-canada-wildfire-flood

3) https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/03/05/news/bay-du-nord-offshore-oil-newfoundland

4) https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador/article/ottawa-agrees-to-cover-bay-du-nord-oil-projects-un-fees-which-could-hit-1-billion/

5) Bay du Nord has a 16% chance of an extremely large oil spill according to DFO research: https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/41034946.pdf