-
1868 Fisheries Act
The 1868 Fisheries Act was legislation that regulated and protected the fishing industry in Canada. It introduced measures like licensing fishermen, closed seasons, and penalties for violations, which set the groundwork for a sustainable fishing industry. -
1885 Banff National Park
The declaration of Banff as Canada's first national park laid the foundation for the country's conservation efforts.This declaration showed how our administration at the time understood the need of preserving natural areas for upcoming generations. It served as a model for later legislation, influencing Canadian environmental laws and policies that protect biodiversity, ecosystems, and encourage sustainable land use across the nation. -
1893 Algonquin Provincial Park
The declaration of Algonquin Provincial Park also carries great significance. It was the first provincial park in the country. The provincial government's dedication to protecting and managing natural resources was demonstrated by this declaration. It established a standard for later park designations and aided in the development of Ontario's and other provinces' environmental legal frameworks. -
1909 Boundary Waters Treaty Signed
In order to manage and conserve the shared water resources along their shared border, the United States and Canada signed the Boundary Waters Treaty in 1909. In order to oversee the treaty's implementation and settle disagreements about water use, pollution, and navigation, it formed the International Joint Commission (IJC). In order to ensure collaboration in the management of transboundary waters, the treaty continues to be a crucial component of Canadian and American environmental law. -
1911 National Parks Service
On May 19, 1911, the Parks Canada agency was created as a branch of the federal government. It was the world's first national park service and was celebrated as such. The Canada National Parks Act and the Parks Canada Agency Act, which formed the agency's current legal incorporation in 1998, are two pieces of legislation that control the activities of the service. It laid the foundation for the start of Canada's national park system, ensuring the preservation of these protected areas. -
1916 Migratory Bird Convention Signed
The 1916 Migratory Bird Convention was a bilateral treaty signed between Canada and the United States with the goal of protecting and conserving migratory bird populations. The agreement acknowledged that both nations had a responsibility to protect these species and their habitats. It developed rules and regulations to protect migratory birds from harm and to ensure their survival while also promoting conservation. -
1930 Canada National Parks Act
The legislative basis for the establishment and administration of national parks in Canada was established by the Canada National Parks Act of 1930. It gave the government the power to define and oversee these parks and established rules for the conservation of natural and cultural resources. The act was essential in establishing Canada's national park system and advancing their preservation and sustainable management. -
1961 Canadian Wildlife Federation
The CWF is a national non-profit organization dedicated to conserving and protecting Canadian wildlife and their habitats. It aims to advance laws and policies that support the protection of wildlife and environmentally friendly practises. The CWF has aided in the development of Canadian environmental law by advocating for wildlife protection and habitat conservation and by educating the public about these issues. -
1971 Greenpeace
Greenpeace is an environmental organization that was formed in British Columbia in 1971 after a group of twelve activists set sail towards the US Nuclear testing site in Amchitka, Alaska in attempts to stop the tests. Since then, Greenpeace has been instrumental in raising awareness about climate change, deforestation, ocean conservation, and other environmental concerns in Canada and globally. -
1985 Artic Waters Pollution Prevention Act
The 1985 Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act is a 'zero discharge' act, which states, “no person or ship shall deposit or permit the deposit of waste of any type in the Arctic waters.” This important piece of Canadian environmental legislation attempts to protect the Arctic maritime environment from vessel-related pollution. In order to manage pollution challenges in the Arctic, it emphasises international cooperation and creates rules and protective measures. -
1991 Canada-US Air Quality Agreement
Ironic right now, huh? The 1991 Canada-US Air Quality Agreement is an important environmental pact between Canada and the United States. It seeks to address problems with transboundary air pollution and enhance air quality in both nations. The agreement establishes goals and plans for eliminating the pollutants that lead to issues with air quality. It pushes towards monitoring, research, and policy formulation to protect the environment and public health from air pollution. -
1993 Clayoquot Sound Blockades
The 1993 Clayoquot Sound Blockades were a series of blockades related to clearcutting in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, led by the indigenous peoples of the area. The blockades in the summer of 1993, during which 856 people were arrested, were the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history until the 2021 (which is kind of sad, considering how hard indigenous people had to fight just to be listened to). -
1993 Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights
The 1993 Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights is an important legislation regarding the enviroment within Ontario. It provides individuals in the province with the rights to participate in environmental decision-making, access environmental information, and seek legal remedies for environmental harm. The bill ensures government transparency and public participation in environmental issues, which are among the most crucial issues in which the public can participate. -
1997 Kyoto Protocol
The United Nations provided the 1997 Kyoto Protocol as a global accord with the aim of addressing climate change. It encourages collaboration and technology transfer for sustainable development and sets legally binding targets for developed countries for the important goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The treaty is a crucial part in laying a guideline for and helping to shape international climate change legislation. -
1999 Canadian Environmental Protection Act
The primary purpose of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) is to contribute to sustainable development through pollution prevention. CEPA 1999 contains significant improvements for the protection of the environment over the previous Act. It emphasizes pollution prevention and assesses risks to the environment and human health. It also provides tools to manage pollution and wastes, phases out harmful substances, regulates emissions from vehicles and equipment. -
2002 Species at Risk Act
The Species at Risk Act is "a key federal government commitment to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct and secure the necessary actions for their recovery." It provides for the legal protection of endangered species
wildlife and aims to enforce the conservation of their
important biological diversity. It establishes legal protections for listed species and their critical habitats, requires the development of recovery strategies, and enables additional measures for at-risk species. -
2006 Ontario Clean Water Act
The Ontario Clean Water Act is an important legislature within our province. Signed in 2006, the act "ensures communities protect their municipal drinking water supplies through prevention". It focuses on protecting and conserving Ontario's water resources, ensuring the provision of clean and safe drinking water. It establishes a framework for source water protection, as well as the identification and assessment of vulnerable areas and the development of source protection plans. -
2012 Canadian Environnemental Assessment Act
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act of 2012 and its regulations provide a framework of law for federal environmental assessments in Canada. The CEAA specifies guidelines for evaluating projects, holding public hearings, and taking into account any environmental effects. The act promotes the inclusion of environmental considerations in project planning and decision-making, ultimately boosting environmental protection and improving Canadians' quality of life. -
2015 Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The agreement sets a global goal to limit climate change at a bare minimum of well below 2 degrees Celsius. It creates a framework within which governments can present and revise their emission reduction goals, intensify their adaptation efforts, finance poor countries, and advance technology transfer and capacity-building. -
2016 Great Bear Rainforest Agreement
The 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Agreement is a significant environmental pact in British Columbia.Through coordinated efforts between the government, Indigenous communities, environmental organisations, and the forestry sector, it seeks to conserve and manage the Great Bear Rainforest sustainably. The agreement upholds the rights of Indigenous peoples in the area while promoting sustainable forest management and protecting ecosystems.