Nature is foundational to Canadian identity. Canada's forests, lakes, rivers, prairies, mountains, tundra, and oceans are part of who we are, strengthen sovereignty, support the economy, and sustain life. Nature underpins food systems, clean air and water, energy, climate and disaster resilience, and Canada's identity-yet it faces mounting threats from climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity loss. Nature is a key driver as we work to build our economy while integrating biodiversity considerations into infrastructure and resource development.
Today, the Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature), highlighted 16 projects across British Columbia. These projects represent a $272 million investment to plant over 95 million trees, helping to protect nature and biodiversity in Canada by restoring critical habitats for species at risk and wildfire-affected areas, as well as supporting Indigenous-led reforestation efforts through tree planting.
On March 31, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the federal government's new strategy for nature, with an investment of $3.8 billion. A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature is based on three pillars for action to harmonize nature protection and economic growth: Protecting Nature in Canada, Building Canada Well, and Valuing Nature and Mobilizing Capital.
Key components of the strategy include increasing our protected areas network on land and water. Elements to do this will include expanding our parks network and restoring critical habitats for species at risk, as well as recognizing and expanding on working landscapes or other effective conservation measures. Federal programs have made historic progress in restoring forests and building greener communities across the country. A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature will build upon current Government of Canada initiatives that contribute to our goals of reaching 30% of lands, waters, and oceans in Canada being protected by 2030.
Indigenous leadership is at the heart of protecting nature. Anchored in traditional knowledge and stewardship, it is critical to achieving our national and international commitments on nature. This new strategy will accelerate Canada's progress toward protecting 30% of our lands and waters by 2030, restore critical habitats, strengthen ocean resilience, and mobilize new investments in nature while ensuring that conservation and economic development go hand in hand.
