To help voters make informed decisions, Nature Canada and 15 other environmental organizations asked Canada’s five main federal parties to respond to a survey focused on environmental priorities. These questions addressed climate commitments, biodiversity, environmental funding, Indigenous-led conservation, environmental justice, and clean electricity.

Below is a summary of how each party responded. The Conservative Party of Canada did not respond to the questionnaire by the publication deadline. For the full responses, click here.

Nature Canada, as a charity, is strictly non-partisan.

1. Will you ensure Canada meets its national and international carbon reduction targets?

• Bloc Québécois: Supports legally binding emission reduction targets, including a 40–45% reduction below 2005 levels by 2030. Calls for redirecting fossil fuel subsidies toward clean energy.
• Green Party of Canada: Advocates for a transition to 100% renewable electricity, with enforceable climate targets aligned with the Paris Agreement and interim milestones every five years. No new fossil fuel infrastructure and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. Establish a National Civil Defence Corp to improve disaster preparedness.
• Liberal Party of Canada: Commits to achieving Canada’s Paris targets.
• New Democratic Party (NDP): Supports Canada’s climate targets and the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. Will protect workers through the Sustainable Jobs Act.

2. Will you support international biodiversity targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?

• Bloc Québécois: Supports biodiversity protection and emphasizes Quebec’s jurisdiction over conservation efforts. Proposes increased funding for Quebec’s Nature Agreement.
• Green Party: Supports protecting 30% of Canada’s land and water by 2030. Highlights Indigenous-led conservation, enforcing conservation laws, habitat restoration, stopping old-growth logging, stronger regulations to prevent environmental harms, and increased support for research and monitoring and public education.
• Liberal Party: Reaffirms commitment to the 30% conservation target. Proposes new parks and investments in nature-based solutions, freshwater protection, cleaning up coastal waters, and stopping illegal wildlife trade.
• NDP: Would introduce a biodiversity accountability law. Commits to protecting 30% of nature and restoring at least 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. Funding for species at risk and restoration.

3. Will you eliminate subsidies and public funding for activities harmful to the climate and nature?

• Bloc Québécois: Opposes continued fossil fuel subsidies and supports maintaining carbon pricing. Proposes redirecting public funds to renewable energy and green technologies.
• Green Party: Pledges to eliminate all climate and nature harming subsidies. Proposes holding polluters financially responsible for cleaning up damages and reducing pollution through stronger regulations. Re-direct harmful subsidies to support climate action and biodiversity conservation and restoration. Introduce rules for companies to include environmental impacts in their pricing.
• Liberal Party: States that inefficient fossil fuel subsidies were phased out in 2023. Plans to strengthen industrial carbon pricing and invest in clean energy.
• NDP: Supports ending subsidies to fossil fuel exploration. Proposes reinvesting in retrofits for millions of Canadian homes, including low-income households.

4. Will you support Indigenous-led conservation and expand Land Guardians programs?

• Bloc Québécois: Supports federal funding for Land Guardians on federal lands, while emphasizing the need for Indigenous self-government and nation-to-nation negotiation.
• Green Party: Proposes expanding Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and increasing long-term funding for Indigenous Guardians programs. Supports Indigenous-led fisheries management and land use plans. Legislate recognition of Indigenous stewardship rights.
• Liberal Party: Commits to expanding Indigenous-led conservation projects, including a new Arctic Guardians program and legislating the right to water for First Nations.
• NDP: Supports co-developing long-term funding for Indigenous conservation efforts, including expansion of the Guardians program and IPCAs.

5. Will you establish a permanent Office of Environmental Justice and implement a national strategy?

• Bloc Québécois: Supports federal action on environmental justice. Proposed amendments to broaden the national strategy but considers current legislation limited. Supports applying the strategy within federal jurisdictions.
• Green Party: Supports creating a high-level Office of Environmental Justice within Environment Canada. Emphasizes targeted support for historically impacted communities and strong enforcement mechanisms.
• Liberal Party: Supports the implementation of a national environmental justice strategy and commits to engaging a wide range of stakeholders in its development.
• NDP: Pledges to establish an Environmental Justice Office and pass an Environmental Bill of Rights. Emphasizes addressing the disproportionate impact of pollution on marginalized communities. Emphasizes clean energy jobs as part of the solution.

6. Will you deliver a plan for a net-zero electricity grid by 2035?

• Bloc Québécois: Notes that Quebec’s electricity is already 99% renewable. Supports strong federal regulations for clean electricity and improved interprovincial electricity transmission.
• Green Party: Proposes a national electricity grid focused on renewable electricity. Focuses on smart grid technologies to improve reliability and storage. Prioritizes Indigenous and community-led renewable energy projects.
• Liberal Party: Reaffirms commitment to a net-zero grid by 2035. Plans use investment tax credits to support a national electricity corridor and support worker training for the clean energy transition.
• NDP: Supports developing a workforce plan to train skilled workers for electrification to support a net-zero electricity grid.

Be Informed. Be Empowered. Vote for Nature.

The differences between party platforms are meaningful, and understanding them helps voters align their values with their choices at the ballot box.

If nature and climate are priorities for you, we invite you to Vote for Nature.

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