OTTAWA—With celebrations for Canadian environment week coming to an end, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault shared his statements about the importance for Canadians to protect the environment.
"This year marks a milestone for the environmental community as we celebrate 50 years since the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which is considered to be the first international meeting about the environment. Today, Canada is at the forefront of driving environmental action forward.”
Minister Guilbeault spoke about the purpose of Environment Week as a time for all Canadians to take up the dialogue about the actions needed to protect the environment and how best to look after our planet. "Environment and Climate Change Canada is taking further action to preserve nature and fight climate change by creating a Nature Advisory Committee, and amending regulations to better protect migratory birds throughout the country," said Guilbeault.
The Minister’s statement spoke about initiatives by Natural Resources Canada to expand on the trees program, biodiversity and conservation.
“To compliment our actions, Natural Resources Canada announced over $2.4 million in funding through the Billion Trees Program, which helps mitigate climate change while achieving key biodiversity and conservation goals, as well as supporting community well-being,” stated Guilbeault.
Canadian Environment Week challenged all Canadians to do their part to protect the environment as stewards of our planet.
In response and in support of this initiative, many local organizations such as Eco Superior Thunder Bay organized several events aimed at engaging and encouraging the city of Thunder Bay to also do its part.
Programs Sue Hamel, executive director, Eco-Superior Environmental, called on all of Northwestern Ontario to celebrate Canadian Environment Week, but to work towards what this week invites all Canadians to do every week.
"We at Eco Superior are encouraging everyone in northern and northwestern Ontario to not only celebrate 'Canadian Environment Week' and UN's 'World Environment Day,' but to help build a healthy future for people and the planet - every day, of every week,” said Hamel. “Let's learn, share and act in ways that restore or protect our ecosystems, waters, soils, air, climate and food systems in healthy ways. We need our governments, businesses, communities and individuals to make bold and courageous positive changes. This may be the most important decade to do so, ever."
Hamel described two key events being organized and hosted by Eco Superior. “Eco Superior is launching our “Big Lake Reflection” held during June 20 until July 4, 2022. This is the third year that this event is taking place. The purpose is to challenge everyone to reflect on their individual connection with Lake Superior, through an art form of their choice.
The second event Eco Superior is hosting takes place this summer and involves community individuals wanting to learn about naturalized gardens. Held on Tuesdays, the goal is to help sustain the naturalized garden at Central Gardens, Thunder Bay.
