NDP introduces landmark environmental rights bill

NDP leader Thomas Mulcair is proud to second groundbreaking legislation introduced by Linda Duncan (Edmonton-Strathcona), an Environmental Bill of Rights to legally enshrine environmental rights for Canadians and the duty of the federal government to take action to protect the environment.

“As Minister of Environment in Quebec, I made the right to a healthy environment a charter right for all residents of Quebec,” said Thomas Mulcair, Leader of the Official Opposition. “I am pleased to support this bill, which would safeguard the right of present and future generations of all Canadians to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment”.

According to Duncan, “This bill is long overdue. The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government shares responsibility for protection of the environment. My bill grants Canadians the specific right to have a voice in all decisions impacting their environment, to take the federal government to court where those rights are denied or where federal laws are not enforced and it protects whistle-blowers”. The bill also amends the Bill of Rights to add an environmental right.

“Canadians must be given a voice. An NDP government will work with the provinces, territories and all Canadians to make the right to a clean, healthy environment a guaranteed and absolute right,” said Mr. Mulcair.