The idea of a right to a healthy environment is getting traction at CanadaB次元官网网址檚 highest political levels.
Federal Opposition MP Linda Duncan recently introduced B次元官网网址淎n Act to Establish a Canadian Environmental Bill of RightsB次元官网网址� in Parliament. If itB次元官网网址檚 passed, our federal government will have a legal duty to protect CanadiansB次元官网网址� right to live in a healthy environment.
IB次元官网网址檓 travelling across Canada with the David Suzuki FoundationB次元官网网址檚 Blue Dot Tour to encourage people to work for recognition of such a right B次元官网网址� locally, regionally and nationally. Locally, the idea of recognizing citizensB次元官网网址� right to live in a healthy environment is already taking hold. Richmond and Vancouver, The Pas, Man. and the Montreal borough of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie have all passed municipal declarations recognizing this basic right.
Our ultimate goal is to have the right to a healthy environment recognized in the ConstitutionB次元官网网址檚 Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and a federal environmental bill of rights is a logical precursor.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms itself was preceded by a federal statute, the Bill of Rights, enacted under Prime Minister John DiefenbakerB次元官网网址檚 Progressive Conservative government in 1960.
This isnB次元官网网址檛 a partisan issue. It appeals to people across the political spectrum and has broad support among Canadians. An earlier attempt to pass a Canadian environmental bill of rights (also led by Linda Duncan) gained the support of MPs from various parties before its passage through Parliament was interrupted by the 2011 federal election.
In France, conservative leader Jacques Chirac championed the idea of environmental rights during his presidency. After more than 70,000 French citizens attended public hearings, the Charter for the Environment was enacted in 2005 with support from all political parties.
IB次元官网网址檝e seen so many positive changes in our legal systems and social safety net in my 78 years B次元官网网址� including adoption of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982. My family was incarcerated in the B.C. Interior during the Second World War, just for being of Japanese descent, even though we were born and raised in Canada. Like other people of colour, my parents didnB次元官网网址檛 have the right to vote until 1948.
First Nations people on reserves couldnB次元官网网址檛 vote until 1960. And women werenB次元官网网址檛 even considered B次元官网网址減ersonsB次元官网网址� under Canadian law until 1918, when they were given voting rights. Homosexuality was a crime punishable by prison until 1969! IB次元官网网址檓 convinced that legal recognition for environmental rights will be the next big change.
Progress is possible when enough people recognize its necessity and come together to make it happen. Protecting our country and planet, our health and the future of our children and grandchildren is absolutely necessary. We canB次元官网网址檛 live and be well without clean air and water, nutritious food and the numerous services that diverse and vibrant natural environments provide.
Even in Canada, where our spectacular nature and abundant water are sources of pride, we can no longer take these necessities for granted. More than 1,000 drinking-water advisories are in effect in Canada at any time, many of them in First Nations communities.
More than half of us live in areas where air quality reaches dangerous levels of toxicity. And from Grassy Narrows and SarniaB次元官网网址檚 Chemical Valley in Ontario to Fort Chipewyan, Alta., people are being poisoned because industrial interests and profits are prioritized over their right to live healthy lives.
ItB次元官网网址檚 not about hindering industry; itB次元官网网址檚 about ensuring that companies operating in Canada, as well as our governments, maintain the highest standards and that human health and well-being are always the priority.
Evidence shows strong environmental protection can benefit the economy by spurring innovation and competitiveness and reducing health-care costs. This is about giving all Canadians greater say in the democratic process and looking out for the long-term prosperity of Canada.
More than half the worldB次元官网网址檚 nations already recognize environmental rights. ItB次元官网网址檚 time for Canada to live up to its values and join this growing global movement.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 no date yet for a vote on Bill C-634, but its introduction has started a conversation among politicians in Ottawa. LetB次元官网网址檚 hope people from across the political spectrum will recognize the importance of ensuring that all Canadians have the right to a healthy environment.
