Today, the Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature), highlighted the Government of Canada's recent launch of A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature.
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.
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, as well as recognizing and expanding on working landscapes or other effective conservation measures. Projects such as those conducted by Appalachian Corridor and supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada contribute to our goals of reaching 30% of lands, waters, and oceans in Canada being protected by 2030.
Five new protected areas, totalling nearly 150 hectares, have recently been added to the Estrie region's conservation network of natural habitats through the collaborative efforts of Appalachian Corridor and its affiliated members, the commitment of private landowners, and the support of financial partners. These natural areas of interest are now protected in perpetuity and represent major advances for ecological connectivity and the protection of species at risk.
Indigenous leadership is at the heart of protecting nature, anchored in traditional knowledge and stewardship, and 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.
