Liberals move forward to protect Canada’s land and oceans, and give every kid the chance to learn to camp

September 26, 2019

Sudbury, ON — A re-elected Liberal government will protect 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, as well as give every kid in Canada the chance to learn to camp.

Canada has the longest coastline in the world, one-fifth of the world’s fresh water, and vast and wild forests — but climate change puts them all at risk. It’s more important than ever to protect the natural landscape we know and love. At the same time, Canadians of all ages should have the chance to enjoy our natural wonders and learn more about our country.

“We have listened to the courageous voices of young people who are demanding that their governments take bold action to protect our nature for future generations,” said Leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau. “And we know that we raise environmental champions by helping the next generation experience Canada’s natural beauty firsthand.”

A re-elected Liberal will continue down the path of conservation and environmental protection:

  • We will conserve and protect 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working towards 30 per cent of each by 2030;
  • We will ground these efforts in science, Indigenous knowledge, and local perspectives;
  • We will also advocate for countries around the world to set a 30 per cent conservation goal as well;
  • We will give every child the chance to learn how to camp by the time they reach grade eight, expanding the successful Learn to Camp program:
  • This will make it possible for 400,000 kids each year to learn the skills to enjoy camping; and
  • We will give 75,000 less privileged children and their families an up to four night trip to one of Canada’s National or Provincial Parks:
  • This includes camping accommodations and a travel bursary of up to $2,000 so that families can more easily afford a once-in-a-lifetime trip to more national parks like Banff, Gros Morne, Forillon and the Cape Breton Highlands.

This builds on a strong Liberal tradition of protecting Canada’s land and oceans, including:

  • Making the largest investment in nature conservation in Canadian history;
  • Conserving land areas equal to about 3.5 times the size of Nova Scotia;
  • Boosting the amount of protected coastal and ocean areas from 1 per cent to 14 per cent;
  • Creating Rouge National Urban Park, North America’s largest urban park, and the Edéhzhíe Protected Area, the first Indigenous protected area;
  • Working in partnership with Inuit to protect the Arctic’s last year-round sea ice, as well as sensitive areas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and glass sponge reefs off the coast of British Columbia.

“The Conservatives spent a decade starving Parks Canada of funding, and ripping up protections for nearly all Canadian waters,” said Mr. Trudeau. “We only get one planet, and one Canada. Let’s protect it, for our kids and grandkids to enjoy — today and for years to come.”

Backgrounder: Protecting nature and helping every kid learn to camp