Environmental racism is a form of systematic racism in which polluting industries are placed close to marginalized communities lacking socio-economic power, thereby disproportionately subjecting them to hazardous and toxic substance exposure (Issue). In Canada, racialized communities, in general, face higher levels of poverty[1], and environmental racism not only creates severe health and economic difficulties for them but also impacts their future generations.
To address this Issue, Bill C-226[2][3] (Bill) was first introduced in November 2021 in the House of Commons based on the findings and recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council and other non-partisan publications. It is now due for its third reading in the Senate. It aims to develop a national strategy to advance environmental justice.
The Bill is not the first of its kind. A similar C-230[4] was introduced in the House of Commons addressing a national strategy to redress environmental racism, which lost momentum due to the 2023 federal elections and is currently inactive.
The Bill puts the obligation to consult on the Minister of the Environment (Minister) and provides any interested person an opportunity to participate. Section 3(2) mandatorily requires the Minister to "consult or cooperate with any interested persons, bodies, organizations or communities — including other ministers, representatives of governments in Canada and Indigenous communities — and ensure that it is consistent with the Government of Canada's framework for the recognition and implementation of the rights of Indigenous peoples."
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