Ten Canadian conservation groups say it’s time for Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna to use her existing powers to assess “many environmentally harmful” industrial projects before they come up for federal approval.
The groups sent the message in a five-page letter, obtained by National Observer, that challenges the government’s position that it is moving as fast as it can to fix flaws in Canada’s environmental laws. The letter provides a glimpse into some of the diplomatic lobbying from prominent environmental groups challenging the government’s green agenda at a time when most have publicly backed federal Liberal policies.
While the letter praised the government for launching a major review of Canada’s environmental laws, it said the initiative hasn’t gone far enough to tackle the threat of climate change. Under existing legislation, McKenna has the power to act immediately by requiring screenings for different categories of projects, including those that might result in high levels of heat-trapping carbon pollution. The letter’s signatories said that many of these projects are slipping through the cracks without a federal review, despite a series of interim changes brought in by the Liberal government as a temporary fix.
Christopher Adams – National Observer – November 4, 2016.
Want More Investigative Content?
