The federal government is preparing to introduce its 2022 budget, considering funding decisions that will have major implications on Canada’s ability to address key environmental and social justice priorities in the coming years.
From accelerating progress on climate change, to conserving nature and protecting wild species, to addressing systemic injustices and environmental racism – Canadians want to see ambitious action from the government on these interconnected challenges. And ambitious action requires adequate funding.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Urge the government to fund environmental priorities in Budget 2022
The Green Budget Coalition (a coalition of 23 leading Canadian environmental organizations, including West Coast Environmental Law) has put together a comprehensive set of recommendations for federal decision-makers ahead of this year’s budget. Our Recommendations for Budget 2022 lay out a number of key investments that are needed to address the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
The Green Budget Coalition’s five feature recommendations address three critical environmental objectives:
Net-Zero Emissions by 2050
- Canada’s Renovation Wave: A Plan for Jobs and Climate – $10-15 billion per year for 10 years to enable the renovation wave, including deep retrofits for residential and commercial buildings, Indigenous communities, and skills and market development;
- Phasing Out Fossil Fuel Subsidies & Reorienting Public Finance – Recommendations to not introduce new fossil fuel subsidies, to phase out existing subsidies on an ambitious timeline, and to align all public finance with Canada’s climate commitments;
Nature Recovery by 2050
- Freshwater Management for the 21st Century – $1.256 billion over five years to protect, manage, and restore freshwater resources in Canada;
- Permanent Funding for Protected Areas – $1.4 billion per year in permanent funding increasing to $2.8 billion per year by 2030-31 for managing and monitoring terrestrial and marine protected areas; and
Environmental Justice
- Office of Environmental Justice and Equity – $25 million over two years then $15 million per year ongoing to create a new Office of Environmental Justice and Equity, including developing a national strategy on environmental racism and environmental justice.
In addition to the key recommendations above, the Green Budget Coalition also recommends other important investments in transportation, renewable energy, nature restoration, fisheries management, action on toxic substances, sustainable agriculture and other environmental issues.
Adopting these fiscal recommendations will advance progress on climate change, nature protection and equity, while creating jobs and protecting individual and collective health. And you can help by taking action to show your support for these crucial investments.
Please send a message to federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and your MP today – ask the government to act on the Green Budget Coalition’s recommendations to ensure environmental and social justice get the attention they need in Budget 2022.