You Helped Us Bring the Budget Conversation to the House of Commons Floor – Part 2
Link to part 1 – You Helped Us Bring the Budget Conversation to the Senate Floor
The critical work to hold the government accountable for Budget 2025 did not stop at the Senate door. Yesterday the effort reached the House of Commons.
After meeting Nature Canada and our partners at Nature on the Hill this year, Green Party Leader and MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands, Elizabeth May asked for an on-the-record commitment from the government on Canada’s legally binding climate and nature obligations—promises that were alarmingly absent from the 493-page budget document.
The Question That Demanded Clarity
Elizabeth May rose and posed a direct question to Prime Minister Mark Carney that demanded he fill the deficiencies in his fiscal plan:
“Will the Prime Minister agree that it is a deficiency in the budget that our legally binding Paris commitments are not mentioned? Can he confirm, here on the floor of this House, that in passing this budget, the government is committed:
to holding to its far below 2 degrees as possible, to funding climate adaptation, to delivering on the nature strategy, and continuing to engage in meaningful Indigenous reconciliation?” – Elizabeth May
The Commitment Secured
In a reassuring moment, the Prime Minister rose and provided the clear, public assurance that we had all been advocating for. His response, now a permanent part of the parliamentary record, proves that consistent, coordinated advocacy from citizens like you, non-profits, and elected officials works.
“Mr. Speaker, this budget puts us on the path for real results for climate, for nature, for reconciliation. I can confirm to this House that we will respect our Paris commitments for climate change and we’re determined to achieve them. I can confirm with this House that, consistent with our Kunming–Montreal commitments, the Nature Strategy will be released in the coming weeks.” – Prime Minister Mark Carney
This is the commitment we needed. Through support from Canadians like you and from across the country our message is being heard and the answer secured a formal pledge to:
- Deliver the Nature Strategy: A timeline for action on the 2030 Nature Strategy that will halt and reverse nature loss.
This commitment represents an important step forward, but our work is just beginning. As Nature Canada, we will be relentless in the coming months, working to ensure this verbal pledge on the House floor is translated into concrete funding and action.
Your voices made this happen.
Follow our count to see when this pledge is translated to funding and action.
Add your voice
When we speak together, our voices are strong enough to break through. Through support from Canadians across the country our message is being heard.
The government has made its promise. Now, help Nature Canada ensure they keep it. We must ensure the 2030 Nature Strategy is not only released, but fully funded.
To be continued…
