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Fisheries Act
The 1868 Fisheries Act is one of Canada's oldest acts and is focused on protecting Canadian fisheries. Its longstanding objectives are pollution prevention, habitat protection, and resource management. This act holds major significance in ensuring vulnerable habitats and aquatic species (especially fish), are respected and safe from exploitation. -
Banff National Park
The Banff National Park, established in 1885, is Canada's oldest national park. The purpose of formally establishing the park was to preserve its natural beauty, ecological systems, wilderness, and unique resources such as hot springs from commercial development. The Banff National Park is an important example of how conservation efforts can successfully prevent environmental damage as it still remains an important part of the Canadian landscape. -
Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Park was created for the purpose of "reserving a portion of the ungranted Crown domain to be set apart as a Forest Reservation and National Park" (Algonquin Provincial Park 1). The park's unique flora and biodiversity has made it a crucial site for biological and environmental research as well as influential in Canadian culture and tourism. Overall, Algonquin has contributed to Canada environmentally, economically and socially which couldn't have been done without initial preservation. -
Boundary waters Treaty Signed
The Boundary Waters Treaty was signed in 1909 in regard to the waters shared by Canada and the United States. Its function is to prevent and resolve disputes of trans-boundary issues. This agreement was facilitated by the IJC as it was becoming increasingly evident that both countries needed to manage their unique needs accordingly. To date, more than 100 issues have been addressed and cooperation between both nations remains strong in this aspect. -
National Parks Service
This act established the world's first national park service, made to protect and manage Canada's natural and cultural heritage. The administration began as a cluster of parks in the Rocky Mountains and grew to become a nationwide system responsible for fostering tourism and economic growth, while upholding conservation objectives. Now known as Parks Canada, this act is attributed with both expanding and protecting an important part of Canada's identity. -
Migratory Bird Convention Signed
This convention was an international agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom (on behalf of Canada) focused on protecting migratory birds. Specifically, the convention aims to prevent the slaughter of migrating birds and to rather ensure their preservation well as the safety of their eggs and nests. Since its ratification in 1917, the migratory birds convention has also fostered sustainable hunting practices and management. -
Canada National Parks Act
The National Parks Act of 1930 formally recognized Canada's national park system by providing a legal basis for their establishment, management, and protection. It also included provisions that limited the usage of this land by preventing industrial development. This act holds major significance overall for its transformation of national parks from sites of resource exploitation and economic prosperity to areas dedicated that are to preservation and public enjoyment. -
Canadian Wildlife Federation
The Canadian Wildlife Federation was founded to promote an understanding of Canada's wildlife resources and to ensure all species would be preserved. The federation remains involved in multiple ways from studying long-term environmental implications of development projects to suggesting legislative reforms to protect diverse wildlife and their habitats. With these continued efforts, the federation protects vulnerable populations, increases awareness, and educates citizens. -
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is an international campaigning network founded in Canada in 1971 by a group of activists from Vancouver. Since its inception, Greenpeace advocates have worked to ban commercial whaling, stop nuclear testing, protect the arctic environment, and pass the notable Global Oceans Treaty. The associations' global dedication to environmental protection has been crucial for raising awareness and getting the world involved. -
Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act
Also known as the AWPPA, this act aspires to prevent pollution in the Arctic nearing Canadian territory. The act specifically limits individuals or ships to deposit waste of any type into the Arctic waters. With this regulation in place, the AWPPA has effectivly prevented further endangerment of Arctic aquatic systems, spaces, and the exploitation of its resources since being enforced. -
Canada-US Air Quality Agreement
This agreement, signed in 1991, addresses concerns related to trans-boundary air pollution caused by acid rain. In an attempt to prevent this, both nations agreed to reduce their sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions which are the primary causes of acid precipitation. Since 1990, SO2 emissions in Canada and the U.S. decreased by 78% and 92% respectively as a result of the long-term scientific and technical cooperation. -
Clayoquot Sound Blockade
In 1993, protesters gathered to advocate against clear cut logging in Clayquot Sound. In response, the government approved a scientific panel to develop new harvesting methods, tools, and biodiversity protection measures. The government also furthered its collaboration with Indigenous groups affected by logging to mitigate its negative impacts. With the protest's 30th anniversary recently passing, it is safe to say the event has shaped forestry practices and conservation efforts for the better. -
Ontario Enviromental Bill of Rights
This bill recognizes the rights of Ontarians to participate in government decisions affecting the environment, including protection, conservation, and restoration efforts. It also encourages Ontarians to take part in achieving shared environmental goals. As a result, citizen engagement has increased, and recent amendments have confirmed the government's commitment to implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to promote better approaches to environmental concerns. -
Kyoto Protocol
This protocol is an international agreement under the UNFCCC that commits industrialized countries and transitioning economies to limit greenhouse gas emissions according to set targets. As a result of these implementations, 37 industrialized nations and economies committed to reducing GHG emissions by an average of 5% since 1990 during the period of 2008 to 2012. Overall, this protocol has acted as a means of accountability and recognition for the dangers of unchecked environmental damage. -
Canadian Enviroemntal Protection Act
The CEPA Is a federal attempt at protecting the environment and human health by preventing pollution and instead promoting sustainable development. In order to do this, the bill focuses on regulating chemicals and substances, addressing air and water pollution, managing hazardous waste, and limiting ocean disposal. As a result, significant improvements have been made in recognition, enforcement, and cooperation that will continue to shift environmental and human health for the better. -
Species At Risk Act
The purposes of the Species at Risk Act are to prevent Canadian wildlife species from going extinct, to provide asylum for ones that are endangered due to human activity, and to manage species of concern against threats. Through this act, measures are enforced to establish how governments, organizations, and individuals collaborate to protect wildlife. Sanctions, assessments, and other initiatives are also enforced. In all, this act promotes action-based techniques to address wildlife safety. -
Ontario Clean Water Act
The government of Ontario passed the Clean Water Act to ensure all residents have equal access to safe, clean drinking water. The act also provides municipalities with the resources to obtain clean water by developing collaborative, locally driven, and science-based plans. Because of the implementations of this act, Ontarians are protected in their right to clean water which effectively holds governments accountable. -
Canadain Enviromental Assesment Act
The CEAA governs the process of assessing the potential environmental impacts of projects in which the government plays a role. It aims to ensure that projects are executed safely and in a precautionary manner to avoid harming the surrounding environment. Due to these implementations, sustainable development and sound choices are at the forefront of planning projects and among Canadian leadership and companies. -
Paris Climate Change Agreement
The Paris agreement is a legally binding treaty on climate change adopted by all 195 members of the UN during the Climate Change Conference of 2015. The primary goal of the treaty is to limit global warming to below current levels by at least 2 degrees. With each nation having its own determined goals, this treaty has promoted global cooperation, tangible adaptation, has mitigated worsening effects, and has emphasized long-term commitment by aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. -
Great Bear Forest Agreement
The Great Bear Forest Agreement is a conservation plan between the government of British Columbia, Indigenous peoples, environmental groups, and the forest industry to protect one of the world's largest remaining rainforests. It's goal is to preserve 85% of the forest's old-growth ecosystems while supporting sustainable economic opportunities for local First Nations communities. Overall, significance lies in how this agreement has balanced the needs of each party depending on the rainforest.