Birds are part of Canadian life. They can be easily observed across the country, even in urban areas. Some species visit cities year-round, while others are there on migration. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting bird populations and their habitats. To do this, it works with many partners, including provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous peoples, non-profit organizations, and municipalities.
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced today at COP15 that 14 new Canadian cities have been certified as a "Bird Friendly City". This certification was developed by Nature Canada to encourage municipalities to become safer places for birds. The program was made possible by a $655,000 investment from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Birds play a critical role in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems in communities and on the planet. Today, there are three billion fewer birds in North America than there were 50 years ago. Most of these losses are caused by human activities.
As urban sprawl continues, cities also have a responsibility to take action to protect and sustain Canada's bird populations. The Bird Friendly City program encourages communities to take action to:
- reduce the number of human-caused threats to birds, such as stray cats, pesticide use, and bird collisions in windows through the use of window treatments in buildings with large windows
- create safe environments for birds by promoting stewardship and ensuring that natural habitats are protected and restored
- engage and educate citizens on the benefits of Bird Friendly Cities and the celebration of birds in our communities
The 14 newly certified cities are:
- Barrie, Ontario
- Burlington, Ontario
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Guelph, Ontario
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Halton Hills, Ontario
- Hamilton, Ontario
- Lions Bay, British Columbia
- Peterborough, Ontario
- Regina, Saskatchewan
- Saanich, British Columbia
- Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
- Strathcona County, Alberta
- Windsor, Ontario
This is just one of the steps the Government of Canada is taking to protect nature as it welcomes the world to Montréal from December 7 to 19 for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. COP15 is an opportunity for Canada to show leadership in taking action to conserve nature and halt biodiversity loss around the world, in partnership with Indigenous peoples, the original stewards of the land.
