Dec 1, 2020
OTTAWA, December 1, 2020 – The Canadian Wildlife Federation welcomes major investments in recovering Canada’s economy through actions to conserve wildlife and habitat and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The allocation of $3.16 billion to make good on the Liberal platform promise to plant two billion trees moves this ambitious goal from planning to action. The two billion trees must strike a balance between supporting Canadians in the forestry industry whose jobs have been affected by COVID 19, and creating significant climate, biodiversity, and well-being benefits for all Canadians.
Grassland and wetland loss continues at an alarming rate in Canada resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and habitat loss. The major investment of $631 million to prevent the loss of grasslands and wetlands implements a priority budget recommendation of the Green Budget Coalition, representing 25 leading environmental organizations, and has the potential to recover species at risk, protect important habitat, and recognize the value ranchers and farmers can bring to nature conservation.
“Agricultural practices are part of the solution to biodiversity loss and climate change. The investment of $98 million to support agricultural producers looking to advance natural climate solutions on their farm sets the stage for positioning Canada as a leader in sustainable agriculture,” said Rick Bates, CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “CWF has been working to get recognition of the important role farmers can play in nature conservation. We welcome this step in advancing sustainable agriculture.”
CWF looks forward to helping create jobs and restore habitat through the planting of trees and to protecting grasslands, wetlands and peatlands for future generations.
There are more ways the federal government can create jobs and stimulate the economy through investments in nature. Proposals supported by CWF as part of the Green Budget Coalition recommendations call for investments to create jobs and local economic activity by protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and expanding the 2 billion trees forest restoration program to include restoration of grasslands, meadowlands, and wetlands.
About the Canadian Wildlife Federation: The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, carrying out research, developing and delivering education programs, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending changes to policy and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.
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Contacts:
Heather Robison
Media Relations Officer
(306) 550-6340
heatherr@cwf-fcf.org
Pam Logan
Director of Communications
(613) 222-1405
pamelal@cwf-fcf.org
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