Environment & Natural Resources

1. Ministers Champagne, Bibeau, and Guilbeault highlight budget investments to support housing creation

   Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue; and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, were in Trois Rivières, Quebec, to highlight Budget 2024 investments to support housing creation.

2. Minister Guilbeault issues statement on high-level meeting as INC-4 begins

   Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, is providing the following statement on an April 21 meeting in Ottawa with ministers and high-level representatives from all regions of the world organized in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International. This meeting brought momentum to the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to work toward the development of a first-of-its-kind legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024.

3. Recipients of the grants and contributions funding for advancing a circular economy for plastics in Canada

   Environment and Climate Change Canada is contributing an additional $2 million funding for advancing a circular economy for plastics in Canada toward 12 projects for organizations to develop solutions to address challenges by theme, through various funding streams, including textiles, plastic beverage containers, reuse, life cycle inventory, restaurant, and others. These efforts will identify new opportunities, facilitate collaboration and information sharing, and encourage the adoption of circular solutions.

4. Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges— Environment and Climate Change Canada Phase 1 recipients

   The Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges are a series of funding opportunities through Innovative Solutions Canada. First launched in 2018, the program awards grants to Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises to develop novel solutions to challenges set by the Government of Canada

5. Government of Canada invests to support Canadian innovators to find ways to reduce plastic pollution

   Today, as Canada welcomes the world to Ottawa for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-4), the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced over $3.3 million in funding to support Canadian organizations that are developing innovative solutions to address plastic pollution.

6. Ministers Guilbeault, Champagne and Bibeau to make an announcement on housing and affordability

   Media representatives and others are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make an announcement on housing and affordability.

7. Alberta resident sentenced to $35,000 fine and prohibition order for illegally importing and possessing protected turtles and turtle eggs

   On April 19, 2024, Zhongmin Zheng was sentenced to pay a total of $35,000 after pleading guilty in the Alberta Court of Justice to two charges under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). In addition to the fine, Zheng was issued a prohibition order which prohibits the possession of any live animal for a period of two years. This includes wild animals, livestock, and pets.

8. Minister Guilbeault to make an announcement to help promote a circular economy and reduce plastic pollution in Canada

   Media representatives are advised that the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, will make an announcement to help promote a circular economy and reduce plastic pollution in Canada alongside Parliamentary Secretary, Julie Dabrusin, and a number of innovative businesses who are developing solutions to cut plastic waste.

9. The Government of Canada requires producers to take more responsibility for the plastic they put on the market

   That is why today, coinciding with Earth Day under the theme Planet vs. Plastics, the Government of Canada announced the new Federal Plastics Registry, a tool to compel plastic producers and other companies across the plastics value chain to help monitor and track plastic from the time it is produced up to its end of life.

10. The Government of Canada requires producers to take more responsibility for the plastic they put on the market

    The Government of Canada is implementing a comprehensive plan to reduce plastic pollution, improve how plastic is made, used, and managed across its life cycle, and move toward a circular economy.

11. Canada brings the world together in pursuit of an ambitious global deal to end plastic pollution

    Next week, from April 23 to April 29, Canada will welcome the world to Ottawa for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) at the Shaw Centre to advance the development a global agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024.

12. UPDATE - Itinerary: Minister Guilbeault to attend the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4)

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will attend several events on the sidelines of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4).

13. Government of Canada to hold a technical briefing on Canada’s priorities and objectives for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-4)

    Media representatives are advised that the Government of Canada will hold a bilingual technical briefing on Canada’s priorities and objectives for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-4) with senior government officials from Environment and Climate Change Canada

14. Ministers Wilkinson and MacKinnon to Hold a Media Availability on Sustainable Jobs

    The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, and leaders from labour and the environmental movement will hold a media availability on Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act. They will be joined by the Minister of Labour and Seniors, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., and Charlie Angus, Member of Parliament for Timmins –James Bay.

15. New Canada Carbon Rebate estimator tells you how much you may get back in payments starting April 15

    Putting a price on carbon pollution is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution that is causing climate change

16. Minister Wilkinson to Hold a Media Availability on Support for Technology

    The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will hold a media availability in Vancouver, B.C.

17. Government of Canada Announces Funding to Support Domestic Critical Minerals Value Chains and Create Good Jobs in the Northwest Territories

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a $714,500 investment in Fortune Minerals Limited (Fortune Minerals) to enhance the production of cobalt sulphate and bismuth ingot products from the company’s planned mine in the Northwest Territories and refinery in Alberta to increase the supply of critical battery metals that are essential to the development of a domestic electric vehicle value chain. This will be achieved through a pilot-scale hydrometallurgical program designed to optimize processing conditions while ensuring that residues from the process are stable for safe disposal.

18. On World Water Day, the Government of Canada announces funding for new community projects to protect fresh water

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced over $800,000 in funding for new projects and ongoing initiatives under the Community Interaction Program. As part of the St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011–2026, the Community Interaction Program supports community projects aimed at conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainability, and improving water quality in the St. Lawrence River

19. Regional parks in British Columbia’s Central Okanagan join Canada’s national conservation network, conserving nature and combatting climate change

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, commended the Regional District of Central Okanagan in British Columbia for its contribution to biodiversity conservation in Canada

20. Regional District of Central Okanagan recognizes 25 regional parks for biodiversity conservation value

    The Government of Canada is working with partners, including other governments, Indigenous peoples, and environmental non-government organizations, to recognize more of these important spaces in Canada’s Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

21. Minister Guilbeault to make an announcement to support the conservation and improvement of the St. Lawrence ecosystem

    Media representatives and others are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make an announcement to support the conservation and improvement of the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

22. Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Energy and Resource Table Collaboration Framework on the Path to Net Zero Released

    The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador have developed a Collaboration Framework to accelerate the province’s path to net-zero emissions by 2050. This work has included collaboration with Indigenous groups as well as input from industry and other stakeholders.

23. Keep the cash, care for climate: Canada Carbon Rebates being paid next month

    Today, the federal government is announcing that eligible Canadians will receive their first of four quarterly Canada Carbon Rebates for 2024–2025, starting on April 15 via direct bank deposit or cheque.

24. Groupe Marcelle inc. was fined $500,000 for violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

    On March 19, 2024, Groupe Marcelle inc. was ordered by the Court of Québec, at the Montréal Courthouse, to pay a fine of $500,000. The company pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The fine will be paid to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.

25. Government of Canada and Germany Land Arrangement Securing Early Market Access for Clean Canadian Hydrogen

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Robert Habeck, German Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, strengthened their commitment to implement a transatlantic hydrogen corridor by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a first-of-its-kind bilateral program. This program will accelerate commercial-scale hydrogen trade between Canada and Germany, secure early access for clean Canadian hydrogen producers in the German market and strengthen our two countries’ efforts to fight climate change and enhance energy security. The Minister and Vice-Chancellor were joined by Canada’s Ambassador to Germany John Horgan, Indigenous leaders and senior representatives from the Canadian and Germany energy sectors for the signing of this historic agreement.

26. Minister Wilkinson to Make Hydrogen Announcement in Germany and Hold Media Call-Back

    The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will travel to Hamburg, Germany, on March 17–18, 2024, to participate in the Canada–Germany Hydrogen and Ammonia Producer-Offtaker Conference.

27. Keeping Canadians safe and tracking severe weather: Government of Canada completes 33 state-of-the-art radar modernization projects across Canada

    Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada hosted a media tour of the new weather radar in King City, Ontario, to mark the completion of this eight-year project

28. Canada’s modernized radar network

    Environment and Climate Change Canada has fully replaced its operational weather-radar network with new, state-of-the-art radars across the country

29. Minister Guilbeault meets with historically impacted Black community in advance of environmental justice and racism bill

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, held a roundtable in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, with a Black community that has been impacted by environmental pollution since the 1940s.

30. Call for applications for the next Environment and Climate Change Youth Council: A chance to help shape our environmental future

    The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, is inviting young people in Canada between the ages of 18 to 29 to show their interest in becoming a member of the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council by applying to the anticipatory recruitment process.

31. Dartmouth clean energy startup harnesses wind power and growth opportunities

    ACOA investment helps Aurea enhance productivity to stay competitive in domestic and global markets

32. Government of Canada to deliver final step of major radar modernization project, followed by a site tour

    Media representatives are advised that Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will be presenting the radar modernization project on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, regarding the completion of new weather radars across Canada that will improve the department’s ability to track and detect severe weather.

33. Government of Canada supports Indigenous climate action with new funding stream under the Indigenous Leadership Fund

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a new designated funding stream under the Low Carbon Economy Fund’s Indigenous Leadership Fund. The designated funding stream is open until March 31, 2027, for eligible applicants who are not already included in the funding streams for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.

34. Minister Guilbeault to travel to Nova Scotia to make an announcement regarding a clean energy investment and hold media availabilities

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make an announcement regarding a clean energy investment on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

35. Canada and Ontario commit to significant collaboration on shared nature conservation goals

    Today, Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Andrea Khanjin, Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, announced a federal investment of nearly $10 million over three years to support the expansion of protected areas in the province

36. Cutting the ribbon on the largest battery energy storage system in New Brunswick

    Today, representatives from Neqotkuk (also known as Tobique First Nation), Saint John Energy, and Natural Forces joined together for the inauguration of a large battery energy storage system, which is part of the Burchill Wind Project in Saint John, New Brunswick.

37. Helping New Brunswickers reduce energy costs, cut pollution

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada is supporting New Brunswick to make significant progress on carrying out its Enhanced Energy Savings Program—a program designed to help homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes

38. UPDATE: Minister Guilbeault to travel to New Brunswick to make a funding announcement for a clean electricity project through the Future Electricity Fund

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will be in New Brunswick on March 11, 2024, to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the commissioning of a Tesla Megapack battery storage system, followed by a photo opportunity for the media.

39. Government of Canada invests $15 Million in Clean Fuels Projects in the Niagara Region and Across Canada

    Government of Canada invests $15 Million in Clean Fuels Projects in the Niagara Region and Across Canada

40. Governments of Canada and Ontario join together to announce funding and collaboration for conservation areas in Ontario

    Media representatives are advised that Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make a funding announcement to support conservation areas in Ontario, while committing to significant collaboration toward the Government of Canada’s goal of protecting 30 percent of land and water by 2030.

41. Minister Wilkinson to Participate in PDAC 2024

    The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will hold a call-back with Canadian media to wrap up his participation at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) 2024.

42. Minister Wilkinson to Participate in PDAC 2024

    Minister Wilkinson to Participate in PDAC 2024

43. JOINT STATEMENT by Canada and Australia on Cooperation on Critical Minerals 

    JOINT STATEMENT by Canada and Australia on Cooperation on Critical Minerals

44. Parliamentary Secretary Marc Serré Opens PDAC 2024 With Investment in Support for International Sustainable Mining 

    Marc Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, participated in the opening ceremonies for the 2024 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto. With up to 30,000 individuals in attendance, this is the world’s premier annual exploration and mining event.

45. Empowering key regional environmental groups to protect habitats and species at risk in Quebec and across Canada

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced up to $7.5 million in funding over the next five years through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk.

46. List of 56 Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk projects 2023–2024

    List of 56 Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk projects 2023–2024

47. Government of Canada to Make a Clean Transportation Announcement for Region of Durham

    Ryan Turnbull, Member of Parliament for Whitby, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will make a funding announcement on clean transportation for the Region of Durham.

48. Minister Wilkinson to Participate in PDAC 2024

    The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will participate in a number of engagements while at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) 2024.

49. PS Serré to Make Sustainable Mining Announcement at PDAC 2024 Opening Ceremony

    PS Serré to Make Sustainable Mining Announcement at PDAC 2024 Opening Ceremony

50. Minister Guilbeault to make a funding announcement to support species at risk and their habitats

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make a funding announcement to support species at risk and their habitats.