Ontario Nature Blog
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© Lora Denis
Cochrane Area Wildfire 2023 © AFFES-MNRF
A federal election is just around the corner and, thankfully, many Ontarians intend to vote with nature in mind.
According to a recent poll, more than 80% of Canadians want the federal government to do more to protect wildlife. This builds on polling which puts Ontarians near the top among all provincial voters when it comes to wanting stronger nature protections. The bottom line is that voters across Canada and Ontario expect our federal representatives to make nature a priority.
At a time of global biodiversity loss and climate crises, this matters more than ever. Not only for the health of the planet, but for the sake of our own communities and future generations.
While some parties have unfortunately not yet released their platforms for the public to transparently evaluate, we can assess where they stand based on a recent questionnaire from leading environmental groups, as well as media reporting on the issues.
Liberal Party | Conservative Party | New Democratic Party | Green Party | |
Commit to 30 x 30 | Yes | No response | Yes | Yes |
Support Indigenous-led conservation | Yes | No response | Yes | Yes |
End harmful subsidies | No | No response | Partially | Yes |
Invest in nature-based climate solutions | Yes | No response | Unclear | Unclear |
We all have a stake in the future of the natural world. Together, we can halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The only way this will happen is if candidates and political leaders hear loudly and clearly that biodiversity is important to you. Here are five simple things that we can all do:
We need real leaders who are prepared to chart a course to a better future at a time when we’re witnessing the loss of wildlife, weakening of environmental protections and severe impacts of climate change. This election, please raise your voice for protecting nature and climate action.
Young leaders, Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2023 © David Pugh
I am very concerned about the development of recreational golf right in a Provincial Parc near my home, at Holiday Beach, which would interfere with nesting birds and other wildlife.