Canada officially recognizes the right to a healthy environment

For the first time in the country’s history, the federal government is recognizing Canadians’ right to a healthy environment.

On June 13, a series of amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) became law when Bill S-5, the Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, received royal assent. It’s the first update to CEPA since the Act’s passage in 1999, and a step forward on protecting Canada’s environment, according to advocates.

“It’s a big deal,” said Ecojustice program manager Elaine MacDonald. “It kind of catches Canada up to 160 UN states or countries around the world that have already recognized the right to [a] healthy environment.”

When Gilliane and Nathalie Nadeau decided to take their passion for New Brunswick wine, beer, and spirits to the next level, they were determined that nothing would stand in their way. There was just one problem. Something was in their way, and it was the wall of a National Historic Site.
The Saint John sisters are the force behind Uncorked, a beverage-focused tour company which aims to share the flavours of New Brunswick one glass at a time. As Uncorked’s popularity grew, the Nadeaus investigated the possibility of establishing a tasting room of their own. Setting up shop in the Saint John City Market seemed like the natural choice. The City Market is conveniently located in uptown Saint John (“uptown” being the local lingo for downtown). Its clientele are passionate foodies who care about local makers and producers. However, it’s also a beloved heritage property and that meant navigating a labyrinth of rules and regulations.

Arguments for the official recognition of the Canada jay as the country’s national bird

By Mark Nadjiwan

Beyond the inclusion of my drawing For Seven Generations in this book, which is an honour, I wish to begin by further acknowledging the desire of “Team Canada Jay” leadership to include contributions from all of Canada’s three founding groups, and for reaching out to me to provide an Indigenous voice to the discussion at hand. So miigwetch to David Bird, the coordinating editor, and all my fellow co-authors!
As a point of respect, I want to first offer that I am acutely aware that the many First Nations spanning the country are exactly that, “many,” and as such we are far from homogenous. Consequently, to speak for any or all of them would involve claiming a pan-cultural right to do so that I neither possess nor aspire to. In fact, in what follows I do not even claim to speak for the Nation to which I belong, the Anishnabek, nor the community of which I am a member, Neyaashiinigmiing. My offerings here, while informed by Indigenous values, are my own. As for my brief contribution, I want to go a little more broadly and deeply into the conversation and perhaps reach the reader on an aspirational level. I believe I am correct in saying that this book is ultimately intended to be more aspirational than informational—though it does indeed contain great information!

We have a good chance of finding whooping cranes on our birding tour as there is a fine network of field observers scouting the area for these legendary birds. Along with cranes, tens of thousands of snow geese and Canada geese, with lesser numbers of Ross’s, greater white-fronted and cackling geese, are pouring through, as well as other waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and passerines, especially large flocks of lapland longspurs with snow buntings and possibly northern shrikes.

If time permits and we have seen whooping cranes well, we will venture to Prince Albert National Park and the boreal forest, where we will have chances for boreal specialties like spruce grouse, pileated, black-backed and American three-toed woodpecker, Canada jay, boreal chickadee, bohemian waxwing, and occasionally pine or evening grosbeak, or white-winged crossbill. We also have the possibility to see moose, elk and sometimes river otter.

Check out these other upcoming trips:
- Consummate Explorer Package with Ocean Quest
- Patagonia Birds and Wildlife with Kim Gray
- New Brunswick and Grand Manan with Marlis Butcher