Canada Passes First Environmental Justice Law to Combat Environmental Racism
Canada recently passed its first environmental justice law, Bill C-226, aimed at addressing the effects of environmental racism and developing a national strategy to combat it. Advocates, including the Canadian Coalition for Environmental and Climate Justice (CCECJ), have welcomed this legislation as a crucial step towards understanding and resolving the problem.
Environmental racism, the disproportionate siting of hazardous projects in communities of color and Indigenous populations, has been a longstanding issue in Canada. The passage of Bill C-226 is seen as a commitment to addressing this deeply entrenched problem. The bill requires the development of a national strategy to promote environmental justice efforts and address environmental racism, with a focus on data collection and analysis to understand the extent of the issue.
This legislation comes after years of advocacy from groups urging the government to take action. The impact of environmental racism on communities’ health and well-being has been a driving force behind this push for change. With the passing of Bill C-226, Canada is taking a step towards creating a more just and equitable environmental future.