Apr 20, 2021
CWF
The new federal budget includes several important investments in the conservation of wildlife and habitat which will support the economy and help address the biodiversity crisis, the Canadian Wildlife Federation says.
Highlights include:
- Investing $2.3 billion over five years to conserve up to one million square kilometers more land and inland waters to achieve Canada's goal of 25 per cent protected area by 2025 target, create jobs in nature conservation, and help prevent the extinction of priority species.
- $647.1 million over five years to conserve wild Pacific salmon through investments in research, habitat restoration, and a doubling of the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund with an additional $100 million.
- $976.8 million over five years to help protect our oceans.
- Several major investments to make progress towards Canada’s climate change goals and prevent catastrophic impacts on wildlife and people.
- $200 million over three years to support natural infrastructure projects.
- $200 million over two years to support on-farm climate action that reduces emissions and benefits wildlife.
- $20 million over two years to finalize how open net-pen salmon farms will be removed from wild salmon habitat in coastal British Columbia.
The Canadian Wildlife Federation will continue to work with supporters, partners, Indigenous peoples and governments to make progress in conserving our natural ecosystems and the many vital benefits they provide all Canadians.
QUOTES:
“This has been a difficult year for Canadians, but by working together to do more for wildlife I believe we will receive a huge return on investment,” said Rick Bates, CEO of CWF.
“In many parts of Canada, wildlife are the backbone of our economy and central to people’s way of life,” said David Browne,Ph.D, CWF’s Director of Conservation Science. “The major investments in conservation of wild Pacific Salmon recognize the importance of these species and should put us squarely on the path to recovery.”
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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The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a member and current Co-Chair of the Green Budget Coalition, a coalition of 25 leading environmental and conservation organizations that makes annual recommendations for nature and climate action. For more information, please visit the GBC’s Recommendations for Recovery and Budget Actions in 2020-2021.
Contacts:
Heather Robison, CWF Media and Community Relations Officer, heatherr@cwf-fcf.org 613-599-9594 x 212
Pamela Logan, CWF Communications Director, pamelal@cwf-fcf.org 613-599-9594 x 250