On December 11, 2024, on behalf of Greenpeace, Stephen Hazell spoke to the House of Commons Environment Committee about the importance of Bill C-73 Nature Accountability Act and the key role it plays for federal nature commitments.
Hazell also highlighted these three key areas for improvement to strengthen Bill C-73:
An amendment to support a whole-of-government approach to nature protection efforts;
Amendments to make sure the proposed nature advisory committee and Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development have legislated mandates; and
Explicitly prioritize the rights and leadership of Indigenous Peoples, and the right to nature (as part of the right to a healthy environment proposed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act).
With these amendments, Bill C-73 would signal true leadership in Canada and internationally to halt and reverse nature loss.
You can read Ecojustice, West Coast Environmental Law and Greenpeace’s joint briefing note on Bill C-73 here, and Stephen Hazell’s full speaking notes here.