The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act has been under attack for many years by industry and provincial and federal governments who claim that rigorous environmental assessment and meaningful public involvement hamper economic growth and drive away investment by causing delay and uncertainty around major projects, and wasting time, money, and energy assessing small projects. Yet the purpose of the Act is to promote sustainable development. We understand this to mean that projects should only be undertaken if they make a positive contribution to sustainability and do not limit the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It should mean that a good environmental assessment would produce better projects, and indeed reject unsuitable proposals.
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development invited witnesses between October 20 and November 24, 2011, and is currently developing its Report to Parliament. The Government has signalled a clear agenda to severaly curtail the application of the Act and to allow federal responsibilities to be delegated to different agencies, perhaps even including Provincial ones.
Members of Parliament need to know how important strong environmental laws are to Canadians. See our Action Alert: Canada’s Environmental Assessment Law Is Under Attack for details on what you can do.
Lyrics:
The Environmental Assessment Act Review is coming soon
Stephen Harper sings the corporations' tune
Mining companies' short-term gain
Leaves the land with long-term pain
Sick caribou, and silent loon.
We know that mines leave toxic waste, that's nothing new
That's why we need a strong environmental review
It can't be left to happenstance
Our rivers wouldn't stand a chance
The public needs to know – that's me and you!
But nobody's heard about this, they're not telling us
It isn't democratic, and it sure ain't just
To protect the waters and the land
We have to take a stronger stand
Rise up and make an awful fuss!
We sing, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee
That means the lands and waters in the whole country
It's not just Northern peoples' fight
Harper has to do what's right
And make it clear for all to see.
The Environmental Assessment Act Review is coming soon
Stephen Harper sings the corporations' tune
Mining companies' short-term gain
Leaves the land with long-term pain
Sick caribou, and silent loon.