The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature) met with members of the Expert Taskforce on Natural Capital Accounting and Nature Financing last week for their first in-person working session, advancing efforts to mobilize public and private investment in nature across Canada. Following weeks of preparatory work by the members, the meeting focused on building a shared understanding of the Taskforce's mandate, the identification of opportunities and priority areas, and charting a path for its work over the next year.
The Taskforce was created following Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement of A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature, which includes a historic investment of $3.8 billion to protect and restore nature across Canada. It brings together leaders from across sectors and regions to provide independent advice on how Canada can better measure, value, and account for nature in economic and investment decisions, reflecting the growing recognition that nature and economic prosperity are closely linked.
Throughout the meeting, members explored priority areas where the Taskforce can provide meaningful advice and practical solutions, keeping in mind opportunities that connect conservation outcomes with economic development, infrastructure investments, and major projects. Members discussed policies and tools that can create the enabling environment to incentivize more private investment into conservation and encourage partnerships between governments, businesses, Indigenous peoples and Indigenous governments, and other organizations. Members also considered the breadth of engagement needed with various sectors and experts as they develop preliminary and then final recommendations.
The work of the Taskforce comes at a pivotal moment as governments, businesses, and investors increasingly recognize the value of nature to Canada's economy and long-term prosperity. The outcomes of the meeting will help inform upcoming discussions between federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for conservation, wildlife, and biodiversity later this week in Toronto.
The Taskforce and its work represent a significant opportunity to showcase collaborative national efforts that link conservation outcomes with economic development and sustainable growth. This will also contribute to broader conversations on mobilizing nature finance at the upcoming COP17 biodiversity conference in Armenia. This work is increasingly urgent as the global financing gap to meet biodiversity commitments now exceeds $1.4 trillion annually.
Members left the meeting with a strong shared vision, clear priorities, and renewed momentum to move from ideas to practical recommendations. Their work will help Canada advance solutions that protect nature, attract investment, and support long-term economic prosperity.
