Protecting the species and natural spaces that Canadians love is important for communities from coast to coast to coast and for the planet. Conserving nature is foundational to all efforts to combat the triple crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada will bring provincial and territorial governments and national Indigenous organizations together on May 25-26, to discuss halting and reversing biodiversity loss in Canada. The goal is to put nature on a path to recovery by 2050, including the development of Canada's 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. It will be the first face-to-face ministers' meeting since December's breakthrough COP15, where the world agreed to the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Global Framework adopted some of Canada's top priorities, including protecting 30 percent of land and water by 2030, respecting the rights and roles of Indigenous peoples, and addressing the key drivers of biodiversity loss, such as pollution and overexploitation of nature. Canada intends to continue showing leadership as one of the first countries to develop and implement its domestic strategy, and Minister Guilbeault is calling on provinces and territories to support the national 30-by-30 target through timely and appropriate contributions. Provinces and territories have a critical role to play in this space, as they have significant authority over land use in their jurisdictions.
The Government of Canada recently released a Discussion Paper entitled Toward a 2030 Biodiversity Strategy for Canada and is inviting all Canadians to share their priorities on biodiversity by completing an online survey. The Discussion Paper provides information to Canadians on some of the key issues and challenges, as well as the opportunities involved in protecting biodiversity.
The meeting with partners and the launch of the survey are to ensure that the development of Canada's 2030 Biodiversity Strategy considers diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise.
