Federal Budget Offers Promising News for Conservation

OTTAWA, April 08, 2022 – The new federal budget includes investments that help support the conservation of our oceans, freshwater systems, and sustainable agriculture. It also provides funding for programs for seniors and employment opportunities for those with disabilities which are key focuses for CWF’s education strategic goals. 

Highlights include:

• Oceans Protection Plan renewal of $2B. We expect this funding will support making our oceans safer for whales and our ocean industries more sustainable. CWF looks forward to continued work with DFO to deliver Right Whale protection with the fishing and shipping industries.
• The creation of the Canada Water Agency with funding of $43.5M over five years and increased support for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.  
• Bridge funding of $19.6M for the Freshwater Action Plan.  We look forward to significant coordinated investment in water quantity management, water quality improvement, and fish habitat protection and restoration.
• Investments of $619.5M in sustainable agriculture to advance practices that sequester carbon and benefit biodiversity such as rotational grazing, cover cropping, regenerative agriculture, nutrient management, manure management, and agroforestry.  CWF is helping advance grazing practices in southern Saskatchewan that increase soil carbon and help sustain native grassland.
• Investments of $275M over five years to make workplaces more accessible for people with disabilities. CWF believes that nature is for all people.  By investing in employment for people with disabilities the Government of Canada is creating the opportunity for all to consider conservation as a career.”

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. 

Canadian Wildlife Federation is part of the Green Budget Coalition, which also called for investing in the Canada Water Agency, the Freshwater Action Plan, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

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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.

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.

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