Non-governmental organizations

Bird Studies Canada

https://birdscanada.org

President: Steven Price

Organizational profile:

Bird Studies Canada is a national charity built on the contributions of thousands of supporters and Citizen Scientists.

Founded in 1960, Bird Studies Canada works to conserve wild birds in Canada through research, public engagement, and science-based advocacy. Bird Studies Canada partners runs regional, national, and international programs. In its Canada State of Birds 2019 publication, Bird Studies Canada reports that Canada has lost 40-60% of shorebird, grassland bird, and aerial insectivore populations. In the last decade, 80% of bird species identified as threatened or endangered in Canada have been aerial insectivores or grassland birds.

Bird Studies Canada works closely ECCC and receives funding for various projects.

Canadian Council on Ecological Areas

https://www.ccea.org/  

Chairperson: Jessica Elliott

Organizational Profile:

The Canadian Council on Ecological Areas (CCEA) works to facilitate and assist Canadians with the establishment and management of a comprehensive network of protected areas representative of Canada’s terrestrial and aquatic ecological natural diversity.

CCEA provides services to its member agencies, the Canadian people and international community by:

• completing various projects that advance its mission;
• staging forums for discussion; and
• using a number of communication vehicles to inform and to educate the larger protected area community and general public on a variety of protected area issues.

CCEA’s work includes terrestrial ecosystem representation, a national framework for protected areas, approaches to gap analyses, marine conservation areas and data management.

CCEA regularly holds its meetings in different Canadian jurisdictions to discuss common issues and to address particular regional issues and achievements. CCEA brings together diverse regional viewpoints to achieve a larger cohesive ecological picture of relevance to all jurisdictions.

CCEA’s international portfolio is relevant to regional and national Canadian efforts related to international obligations such as those contained in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Internationally, CCEA works with organizations such as the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, the governments of Zimbabwe and Mexico, the World Commission on Protected Areas, the World Conservation Union, and the World Conservation Monitoring Center.

Canadian Environmental Law Association

https://cela.ca/

Executive Director and Counsel: Theresa McClenaghan

Organizational Profile:

The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is a non-profit, public interest organization established in 1970 to use existing laws to protect the environment and to advocate environmental law reforms. CELA also works toward protecting public health and the environment by seeking justice for those harmed by pollution or poor decision-making and by changing policies to prevent problems in the first place. CELA also undertakes additional educational and law reform projects funded by government and private foundations.

CELA services include environmental law legal services, including representation before a variety of courts and tribunals as well as assistance to individuals representing themselves, summary advice, law and policy reform.

In addition to providing legal services to individuals and not-for-profit citizen or community groups, CELA undertakes policy work to help shape environmental laws and regulations:

• Access to Environmental Justice – CELA works to make citizen voices heard in government and the courts, for example by documenting the impact of environmental de-regulation on communities or calling for an end to lawsuits designed to silence opposition to polluters or poorly planned development.
• Water Sustainability – CELA takes action on issues ranging from protecting the Great Lakes to increasing water conservation efforts. CELA works with basin partners to encourage public involvement in the review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
• Pollution and Health – CELA raises concerns about the hazards of air pollution as well as now-restricted but still present chemicals that continue to create harmful exposures, such as lead, brominated flame retardants or banned pesticides.
• Green Energy – CELA collaborates with many other organizations to both demonstrate that green energy can meet needs in a cost effective and environmentally safe way and to ensure equal access to clean energy for all.
• Planning and Sustainability – CELA has a long history of working to strengthen all aspects of the planning system, from directing smart urban growth to protecting source water areas.
• Global Agreements – CELA advocates for the integrity and strength of domestic environmental law in light of regional, bilateral and multilateral agreements.

Canadian Lung Association

https://www.lung.ca/

President and CEO: Terry Dean

Organizational Profile:

The Canadian Lung Association is a federated national charity comprising ten provincial associations, a national office and two professional societies - the Canadian Thoracic Society and the Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals. Together they work together to help the more than six million Canadians who have breathing problems.

Located in Ottawa, the Canadian Lung Association’s national office delivers high-quality online lung health information, leads national advocacy and awareness efforts and manages a national research program.

The Canadian Lung Association is the leading organization in Canada working to promote lung health and prevent and manage lung disease. It does this by advocates for action to minimize harms to lung health from residential wood burning, asbestos, cannabis, and tobacco.

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

https://cpaws.org/

National Executive Director: Sandra Schwartz

Organizational Profile:

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is a community-based, non-profit organization that focuses on establishing new marine and terrestrial parks and protected areas and making sure the needs of nature come first in their management. Since 1963, CPAWS has led in creating over two-thirds of Canada’s protected areas. Their vision is that Canada should protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water. As a national charity with 13 chapters, 60,000 supporters and hundreds of volunteers, CPAWS works collaboratively with governments, local communities, industry and Aboriginal peoples to protect Canada’s amazing natural places.

The organization’s mission is to achieve a healthy ecosphere where people experience and respect natural ecosystems. CPAWS works to achieve this by:

• protecting Canada's wild ecosystems in parks, wilderness and similar natural areas, preserving the full diversity of habitats and their species;
• promoting awareness and understanding of ecological principles and the inherent values of wilderness through education, appreciation and experience; and
• encouraging individual action to accomplish these goals; working co-operatively with government, First Nations, business, other organizations and individuals in a consensus-seeking manner, wherever possible.

CPAWS’ major areas of work include:

• Wildlife Habitat Conservation – CPAWS works to protect large tracts of land, oceans and great freshwater lakes so Canada’s species can thrive.
• Parks – CPAWS advocates for new parks and acts as a watchdog to ensure that existing ones are well-managed.
• Forests – CPAWS’ goal is to conserve at least half of Canada’s Boreal forests, and to create a network of large conservation areas within the temperate Eastern Woodlands of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario.
• Oceans – CPAWS advocates for the establishment of long-term marine conservation measures, including the creation of a network of marine protected areas.
• Grasslands – CPAWS chapters in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan are working to protect these unique landscapes and their rich biodiversity. 

Committee membership:

A representative of CPAWS, Florence Daviet, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act.

The Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution

http://csee-scee.ca/

President: Isabelle Côté

Organizational Profile:

The Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution (CSEE) is a non-partisan group of practicing ecologists and evolutionary biologists throughout Canada. It sponsors scientific programs aimed at synthesizing information on natural systems, developing new theory and providing unbiased scientific assessments on the ecological and evolutionary aspects of public policy. The CIEE is operated by a consortium of Canadian universities, including Carleton University, McGill University, University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto. In addition, CIEE is supported by the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, the national learned society.

Committee membership:

A representative of the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, Sarah (Sally) Otto, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act. 

Canadian Wildlife Federation

http://www.cwf-fcf.org/en/

President: Guy Vézina

Organizational Profile:

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is a charitable, non-partisan, non-governmental organization working to conserve Canada’s wildlife and encourage the wise use of Canada’s natural resources through conservation, science, education and advocacy initiatives. CWF works on: fostering Canadians’ connection to wildlife, maintaining healthy wildlife populations, including species-at-risk recovery and conserving and restoring wildlife habitat. Founded in 1962, CWF represents and is entirely funded by 300,000 members and supporters.

CWF’s historical work includes a role in the establishment of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), which was established to provide Canadians with a single, scientifically sound classification of wildlife species at risk and was subsequently incorporated into the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2002. CWF continues to be involved in species at risk, such as national research regarding purple loosestrife infestations, overfishing in the Atlantic and various species at risk such as whooping crane, swift fox and burrowing owl. Recently, CWF supported the reintroduction of black-footed ferrets into Grasslands National Park.

CWF delivers the Hinterland Who’s Who program supported by funding from the Department.

CWF’s ongoing activities and products include:

• online educational information such as Hinterland Who’s Who videos, fact sheets, and Feature Creature profile pages;
• assessing and certifying local properties through wildlife habitat programs (e.g., Backyard Habitat Certification);
• training “WILD Education” facilitators;
• providing financial support to students, researchers and schools undertaking habitat projects;
• hosting annual events such as “National Wildlife Week”;
• publishing posters, newsletters, calendars, and publications; and
• encouraging government and industry to consider the future of wildlife when creating legislation and in their day-to-day work.

Committee membership:

A representative of CWF, James Page, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act.

David Suzuki Foundation

https://davidsuzuki.org/

CEO: Steve Cornish

Organizational Profile:

Co-founded in 1990 by Dr. David Suzuki and Dr. Tara Cullis, the David Suzuki Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan charity registered in Canada and the U.S. that explores human impacts on the environment, with an emphasis on finding solutions. With a mission to protect the diversity of nature and quality of life, the Foundation works to achieve its goals through major projects (e.g., the Nature Challenge), education (e.g., guidebooks for consumers), research and publications and advocacy.

The Foundation works to achieve its goals with 50 staff working in five primary issue areas:

• Climate Change – The Foundation works to educate the public, government and business leaders about the science and impacts of climate change, and promotes solutions at the ground level for the public and private sectors.
• Oceans – The Foundation believes that “today’s oceans health is tomorrow’s future” and works to educate the public about sustainable fisheries, the ecological profile of the Pacific North Coast, marine use planning, regulations and laws to protect ecosystem services, and other marine issues.
• Biodiversity – The Foundation focuses on conservation planning, and protecting at-risk species, forests, woodlands in order to protect nature and preserve biodiversity.
• Environmental Rights – The Foundation is partners with Ecojustice in the Blue Dot movement, a national campaign to advance the legal recognition of every Canadian’s right to a healthy environment.
• Cities – The Foundation sees cities as a great opportunity for effective environmental change, and works to advance sustainable transportation, renewable energy and nature-based infrastructure.

Committee membership:

A representative of the David Suzuki Foundation, Rachel Plotkin, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act.

The David Suzuki Foundation is a partner, alongside ECCC and PCA, of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP), a collective initiative to support efforts to advance Indigenous-led conservation in Canada.

The David Suzuki Foundation is also a core member of the Canadian Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Coalition.  Core members aid with communications and outreach, as well as providing data, expertise, analysis and facilitating partnerships to further the standardized identification of and reporting on areas important for biodiversity in Canada.

Ducks Unlimited Canada

https://www.ducks.ca/

CEO: Karla Guyn

Organizational Profile:

Established in 1938, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is a national, private non-profit organization that has been working towards waterfowl habitat conservation for more than 70 years. DUC’s vision is to achieve a mosaic of natural, restored and managed wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl.

DUC works towards wetland conservation through four primary methods:

• conservation and restoration of quality wetland habitats;
• scientific research through DUC’s research arm, the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (IWWR);
• encouraging public policy development; and
• environmental education programs.

Recognizing the transboundary nature of migratory species, water supplies and natural habitats, DUC is a program partner of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP). The objective of this international conservation program is restoring waterfowl populations to average levels enjoyed in the 1970s. The overall planning, design and management of the NAWMP is done through habitat joint ventures in Canada and the U.S. This international agreement unites federal, provincial/state and municipal governments, non-governmental organizations, private companies and individuals in projects conserving wetlands across North America.

Ducks Unlimited is one of the partners in the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP), a federally funded program to safeguard important habitats for species at risk. The program will focus on support for privately protected areas in ecologically sensitive landscapes, from forests and endangered grasslands to wetlands and coastal regions.

Committee membership:

DUC is the co-chair, with ECCC, of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada) (NAWCC (Canada)). NAWCC (Canada) provides a national mechanism for implementation of the NAWMP.

DUC also co-chairs,  with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture,  the Canadian Wetlands Roundtable (CWR), a national multi-stakeholder working group aimed at advancing the sustainability, health and responsible management of Canada’s wetlands through legislation, policy, and stakeholder and resource industry action.

DUC is a partner, alongside ECCC and PCA, of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP), a collective initiative to support efforts to advance Indigenous-led conservation in Canada.

Earth Rangers

https://www.earthrangers.com/

President: Tovah Barocas

Organizational Profile:

Earth Rangers is a Canadian kids' conservation organization, dedicated to educating children and families about biodiversity and empowering them to become directly involved in protecting animals and their habitats. Earth Rangers’ programs include a School Outreach and Classroom Visit Program, community shows, a national television presence and ‘Bring Back the Wild’, an initiative that provides children with a tangible way to make a difference. These programs strive to inspire children across Canada to take action to help protect animals and their habitats.

The Bring Back the Wild campaign is a national education and fundraising initiative that teaches children about the importance of protecting animals by preserving their natural habitats and gives them the tools to contribute to conservation projects developed to ensure the survival of four native species each year.  The 2014-2015 current conservations projects are focused on protecting the eastern wolf, swift fox, western screech owl, and bobolink.

The Earth Rangers Educational Outreach Program is designed to help students understand the effects of human activity on our planet and the species that inhabit it. Earth Rangers provides an online catalogue of science-related resources for educators with curriculum-linked activities and lesson plans. These educational resources have been created to engage students and facilitate a connection to wildlife both inside and outside the classroom.

ECCC is providing three-year funding to Earth Rangers for Engaging Canadian Kids in Wildlife Conservation – a program that will help Canadian children learn to be active stewards of the natural world, protect Canada’s wildlife, and take action in conserving nature.  The funding includes support for the Earth Rangers School Assembly Program, and engaging children in tangible activities through action-oriented Missions, Bring Back the Wild projects, and local events as part of the Earth Rangers Membership Program.

Ecojustice

https://www.ecojustice.ca/

Executive Director: Devon Page

Organizational Profile:

Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal Defence Fund) is Canada’s largest environmental law charity. Established in 1990, Ecojustice aims to enable citizens to expose lawbreakers and hold governments accountable, while setting powerful precedents for, keeping fossil fuels in the ground and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, clean water, natural spaces, healthy communities and global warming solutions. The organization employs more than 50 staff lawyers, scientists, and other key staff in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, and Calgary.

Ecojustice undertakes the following activities to meet its environmental protection goals:

• Working to enshrine the right to a healthy environment in the Charter of Rights and FreedomsEngaging in pro-bono environmental litigation that set precedents and strengthen the laws protecting air, water, and ecosystems
• Supporting strong, well-enforced laws informed by good science
• advancing litigation on governments that are not adhering to environmental law;
• advocating and advising on the development of effective legislation;
• offering strategic counsel; and
• preparing scientific analysis and research.

Ecojustice’s past clients have included more than 80 environmental organizations, community groups, individuals, and coalitions. Recent Ecojustice cases involving the federal government have addressed emissions cheating in the automobile industry, approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline project, modernizing environmental laws, unlawful and lengthy pesticides “phase out,” and assessment of oil-by-rail projects.

Committee membership:

A representative of Ecojustice, Liat Podolsky, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act. 

Environmental Defence Canada

https://environmentaldefence.ca/

Executive Director: Tim Gray

Organizational Profile:

Environmental Defence Canada is a non-profit organization made up of policy experts and community members supported by scientists, business leaders, lawyers and community members. They are working hard to protect Canada’s environment and human health. The organization’s goal is to cultivate the collaboration of individuals, industry, and government in : (1)  Empowering Canadians to take action in their own daily lives; (2) Working with industry to build a clean, prosperous economy; (3) Encouraging government to enact policies to protect Canadians’ environment.

Environmental Defence Canada’s priority issues are:

• Kicking Out Toxic Chemicals - Industry action to take harmful ingredients out of consumer products, government action to ban and restrict toxic chemicals and informed consumers equipped with the knowledge to choose safe options when they shop.
  • They are working towards full ingredient disclosure on product labels;
  • They think work towards banning or phasing-out or restricting toxic chemicals should be undertaken by provincial and federal governments;
  • They provide consumer information on clean products, partially through downloadable guides and the list of Just Beautiful Pledge companies, and also through the organization of free community workshops
• Climate and Clean Economy: Completely phasing-out polluting fossil fuels and reducing Canada’s carbon pollution to zero by mid-century.
  • Specific foci include capping tar sands pollution, ending public subsidies for fossil fuels, and solving Canada’s methane problem, and building a clean economy
• Creating Livable Communities: The focus is on limiting urban sprawl and protecting farms, nature, and water by directing growth to existing urban areas. Complementary benefits include savings to taxpayers, lowering carbon pollution, reducing congestion.
• Ending Plastic Pollution: Their view is that governments must ban toxic and tough to recycle products, and create laws aimed at reducing plastic waste, eliminating throwaway plastics, and increasing recycling. Businesses must commit to reducing their plastic waste, and individuals should “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
  • Working towards a plastics waste free environment by 2025
  • Promoting establishment of plastic bottle deposit return program
  • Providing community and individual-focussed educational information on reducing plastic
• Safeguarding Canada’s Freshwater: Their view is that the government needs to take action to protect the Great Lakes, and that businesses need to change their practices to safeguard the Great Lakes and other precious water sources.
  • They are working to keep plastics out of the Great Lakes
  • Working to protect Lake Erie from runoff pollution leading to toxic algae blooms
  • Promoting awareness of clean swimming water through the Blue Flag Beach Certification program.

Équiterre

https://equiterre.org/en

Executive Director: Colleen Thorpe

Organizational Profile:

Founded in 1993, Équiterre is committed to offering concrete solutions to accelerate the transition towards a society in which individuals, organizations and governments make ecological choices that are both healthy and equitable. Through its four programs–ecological agriculture, fair trade, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency– the organization has developed projects that encourage individuals, organizations and governments to take concrete actions that bring about positive change for the environment and society.

Équiterre conducts research and advocacy on a number of environmental policy issues, targeted at the federal level and within the province of Quebec, and focusing largely on climate change policy.

Équiterre’s major areas of work include:

• Oil Sands – Équiterre works to stop oil sands development. They do not support the Energy East Pipeline. They helped create the Oil Sands Reality Check project which is a resource for citizens, media, investors, and decision makers to participate in a more informed debate about the impacts of oil sands development.
• Home Energy Efficiency – The campaign was developed with the aim of reducing the environmental problems related to excessive energy consumption. Équiterre advisors, accredited by the Agence de l'efficacité énergétique, make home visits in order to evaluate household energy use and provide residents with tips to help them develop energy-efficient habits.
• Sustainable Transportation – The campaign intended to reduce the impact of pollution caused by transportation, in particular greenhouse gas emissions as an important cause of climate change. In keeping with this aim, Équiterre has developed an online guide to help citizens adopt a combination of modes of transportation such as car-pooling, cycling, walking or public transport.
• Ecological Horticulture – Équiterre works to provide Quebec residents with the benefits of agriculture and food without pesticides or chemical fertilizers through a network of farms, and initiatives that stimulate citizen action such as Horti-eco certification.
• Fair Trade – Équiterre’s Fair Trade program was created to enable consumers to use their buying power to oppose existing inequalities in international trade.

ETC Group: Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration

https://www.etcgroup.org/

Co-Executive Directors: Jim Thomas and Neth Daño

Organizational Profile:

The ETC Group is a technology-based environmental organization working to address the socioeconomic and ecological issues surrounding new technologies that could have an impact on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. It investigates ecological erosion; the development of new technologies; and monitors global governance issues including corporate concentration and trade in technologies. The ETC Group operates at the global political level while working closely with partner civil society organizations (CSOs) and social movements, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The organization is:

• dedicated to the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights. To this end, ETC Group supports socially responsible developments of technologies useful to the poor and marginalized and addresses international governance issues and corporate power;
• working in partnership with other CSOs for cooperative and sustainable self-reliance within disadvantaged societies, by providing information and analysis of socioeconomic and technological trends and alternatives;
• developing strategic options based on research and analysis of technological information (particularly but not exclusively plant genetic resources, biotechnologies and biological diversity), and in the development of strategic options related to the socioeconomic ramifications of new technologies; and
• focused on global and regional (continental or sub-continental) levels. ETC Group supports partnerships with community, national, or regional CSOs.

The ETC Group currently concentrates on effecting change on six current primary areas of focus: Biodiversity (CBD, SBSTTA and IPBES), Climate & Geoengineering, Corporate Monopolies, Sustainable Development, Synthetic Biology, and Technology Assessment.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities

https://fcm.ca/en

CEO: Brock Carlton

Organizational Profile:

• The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal government representing 90 per cent of Canada's municipal population. Established in 1901, members include Canada's largest cities, small urban and rural communities, and 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations. Today, FCM advocates about the needs of municipalities and their citizens, as reflected in federal policies and programs.
• FCM provides the perspective of both large and small communities, as municipalities are integral in the implementation of waste management and recycling programs for residents and small business.
• FCM advances the interests of municipalities by advocating for sound policy in all areas where federal jurisdiction impacts local issues. FCM's Board of Directors–comprising 75 elected municipal officials from all regions of Canada–sets policy priorities that reflect the concerns of all local governments. FCM influences policy decisions through members' interactions with partners and stakeholders in government, business and industry organizations. Current priorities include: house pricing and household debt, rail safety and infrastructure.
• Through programming, FCM address green initiatives, affordable housing, women in government, climate protection and partnering with First Nations communities.
• FCM leads Partners for Climate Protect (PCP), a program that empowers municipalities to take action against climate change through a five-milestone process that guides members in creating GHG inventories, setting realistic and achievable GHG reduction targets, developing local action plans and implementing plans using specific, measurable actions to reduce emissions. PCP is the Canadian component of ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) network, which involves more than 1,100 communities worldwide. PCP is a partnership between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and ICLEI.

Greenpeace Canada

https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/

Executive Director: Christy Ferguson

Organizational Profile:

Greenpeace Canada is an independently-funded, non-governmental organization that works to protect the environment. It aims to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace through research, lobbying, and quiet diplomacy, as well as high-profile, non-violent conflict to raise the level and quality of public debate. Greenpeace International was founded in Vancouver in 1971, has since opened offices in 40 countries, with Canadian offices in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver and headquarters in Amsterdam.

Greenpeace Canada’s major areas of work include:

• Climate and Energy – Greenpeace Canada advocates for a strong federal policy that applies to all sectors equally, including a price on carbon and a carbon market. The organization has aggressively advocated against favouring the oil sector, and rejects federal investment in carbon capture and storage projects in favour of energy efficiency and conservation.
• Arctic Conservation – Greenpeace Canada is engaged in a campaign to oppose offshore oil drilling in the Arctic.
• Ocean Conservation – Greenpeace Canada works to relieve pressure on ocean ecosystems and to establish a network of no-take marine reserves. Current campaigns include stopping the overexploitation of tuna by pushing major tuna brands to change their fishing practices and supermarket chains to carry sustainably-sourced tuna and seafood.
• Forest Conservation – Greenpeace Canada lobbies industries and governments, and engages consumers to protect the Boreal Forest, the Great Bear Rainforest and the Indonesian rainforest. Greenpeace was involved in the campaign that led to the British Columbia government’s 2009 decision to protect 50% of the Great Bear rainforest.

International Council on Clean Transportation

https://theicct.org/

Executive Director: Drew Kodjak

Organizational Profile:

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) is an independent nonprofit organization founded to provide first-rate, unbiased research and technical and scientific analysis to environmental regulators. ICCT mission is to improve the environmental performance and energy efficiency of road, marine, and air transportation, in order to benefit public health and mitigate climate change.

International Institute for Sustainable Development

https://www.iisd.org/

Interim President and CEO: Jane McDonald

Organizational Profile:

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization that promotes change towards sustainable development by conducting policy research and providing a forum to engage governments, business, non-governmental organizations and other sectors in the development and implementation of sustainable development policies. Their mission is to promote human development and environmental sustainability through innovative research, communication and partnerships.

The institute has offices in Canada, Switzerland and the U.S., and operates in over 70 countries around the world.

IISD’s major areas of work include:

• Economic Law and Policy ­ IISD aims at reforming economic policies on international investments, sustainable markets and trade, industry sustainability, infrastructure financing and public procurement to advance sustainable and equitable development.
• Energy – IISD works to transform energy systems and policies to support universal access to clean, low-carbon energy. IISD identifies and prioritizes options for reducing emissions, such as through developing clean and renewable energy systems. It also supports developing countries to identify and access financing for low-carbon development.
• Water – IISD focuses on policy and programming solutions that protect and enhance the natural environment, while also improving socioeconomic well-being. IISD conducts economic analyses and hydrologic assessments to support government decision-making, and brings together stakeholders to support the management of watersheds across national boundaries. Their policy work is informed by scientific research conducted at IISD Experimental Lakes Area. 
• Resilience – IISD works on building and defending resilience of communities and ecosystems to face unprecedented risks and uncertainty associate with climate change, conflicts, and food security issues.
• SDG Knowledge - IISD provides information and analysis that supports the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Living Oceans Society

https://www.livingoceans.org/

Executive Director: Karen Wristen

Organizational Profile:

Living Oceans Society is a not-for-profit organization advocating for oceans that are managed for the common good, according to science-based policies that consider ecosystems in their entirety.

Living Oceans Society’s mission is to:

• engage in scientific, social and economic research to ensure their campaigns are grounded in fact and solutions are science-based;
• interpret scientific data for diverse audiences through maps, reports and other publications, so that all stakeholders can be informed and involved in decision-making;
• engage with government, industry and the people who live and work on the coast to create viable solutions to conservation issues;
• promote sound public policy and corporate social responsibility; and
• enable coastal communities to protect the ocean resources they depend upon.

Living Oceans Society’s major areas of work include:

• Ocean Planning – Living Oceans Society engages in ocean planning on all three of Canada’s coasts.
• Energy and Climate Change – Living Oceans Society has been working to protect B.C.’s coast from fossil fuel development and transport for 20 years. The organization was granted intervenor status in the Joint Review Panel hearings for the Northern Gateway pipeline and the National Energy Board hearings for the Kinder Morgan’s TransMountain Expansion Pipeline.
• Salmon Farming – Living Oceans Society coordinates the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR), a coalition of five environmental organizations working to protect the ocean from the impacts of open net-cage salmon farming.
• Sustainable Seafood – Living Oceans Society is a member of SeaChoice, a seafood watch program that assesses the sustainability of seafood items commonly available in Canada.
• Ocean Acidification – Living Oceans Society campaigns for effective climate policy, marine protected areas and sustainable fishing practices.
• Clear the Coast – Living Oceans coordinates the efforts of community members, businesses, and local governments that want to help clean up the shores of northern Vancouver Island.
• Ocean Ecosystems – Living Oceans Society is working to ensure a healthy ocean by protecting the four pillars of ocean ecosystems: habitat, biodiversity, food webs, and water quality.

Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute

http://www.merseytobeatic.ca/

Executive director: Amanda Lavers

Organizational Profile:

The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute is a non-profit, cooperative research institute that operates a field station located in Queens County, Nova Scotia, between the communities of Kempt and Caledonia. It was established in 2004 to promote sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve (SNBR) and beyond through research, education, and the operation of a field station. MTRI has a diversity of projects on the go simultaneously. From Species at Risk research to aquatic connectivity, old forests, our human dimensions and youth outreach, it conducts a variety of short-term projects and continuing programs in the area.

Committee membership:

A representative of the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, Brad Toms, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act. 

Nature Canada

https://naturecanada.ca/

Executive Director: Graham Saul

Organizational Profile:

Founded in 1939, Nature Canada is a member-based non-profit conservation organization, representing a network of 45,000 supporters and more than 350 naturalist organizations operating at the local, regional and provincial levels across Canada. Nature Canada’s mission is to protect and conserve wildlife and habitats in Canada by engaging people and advocating on behalf of nature. Internationally, Nature Canada is a member organization of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as well as the Canadian co-partner of BirdLife International.

Nature Canada’s major areas of work include:

• Bird Conservation – Nature Canada works with governments, scientists, birders and non-governmental experts to conserve species throughout their ranges in Canada and abroad. The organization is an active member of the global partnership BirdLife International.
• Wilderness Protection – Nature Canada monitors government plans to create protected areas, and undertakes projects that encourage the development of an effective network of parks and protected areas across Canada.
• Endangered Species – Nature Canada works to reverse the trend of species loss and habitat degradation by informing the public about species at risk and pushing for effective laws and programs.
• Green Budget Coalition –Through the Green Budget Coalition, Nature Canada and 13 other environmental organizations present an analysis of the most pressing issues regarding environmental sustainability in Canada and to make a consolidated annual set of recommendations to the federal government regarding strategic fiscal and budgetary opportunities.
• Connecting People to Nature – Nature Canada seeks to foster a better understanding of nature and the role Canadians can play in protecting it through urban nature initiatives and citizen science initiatives.

Canada Nature Fund:

• Nature Canada also operates the NatureHood program which seeks to connect people of all ages to nature, with a particular focus on children. It aims to inspire urban residents to connect with nature through celebratory events, educational and stewardship activities, and wildlife observation, all set in urban or near-urban green spaces. ECCC has supported the implementation of this program on its in 10 National Wildlife Areas that are close to urban centres since 2015.

Committee membership:

A representative of Nature Canada, Stephen Hazell attends, although not as a member, the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC) established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act.

Nature Conservancy of Canada

https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/

President and CEO: John Lounds

Organizational Profile:

Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), founded in 1962, is a national, non-profit land conservation organization that is dedicated to direct protection of ecologically significant areas through donations, purchase, conservation easements, the relinquishment of other legal interests in land and manage them for the long term. NCC’s vision is to protect areas of biological diversity for their intrinsic value and for the benefit of future generations. NCC’s plan of action is partnership building and creative deal-making with any individual, corporation, community group, conservation group or government body that shares its objectives. To date, NCC has helped to protect more than 2.6 million acres (1 million hectares) across the country.

NCC’s major areas of work include:

Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP): The Nature Conservancy of Canada is one of the partners in the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP), a federally funded $100 million program to safeguard important habitats for species at risk. The program will focus on support for privately protected areas in ecologically sensitive landscapes, from forests and endangered grasslands to wetlands and coastal regions. The Nature Conservancy of Canada will oversee the NHCP with contributions from program partners Ducks Unlimited Canada and Canada’s land trusts (Canadian Land Trusts Working Group). Wildlife Habitat Canada will administer the local land trust portion of the program. 

The NHCP replaced the Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP), which was also administered by the NCC. The Natural Areas Conservation Program received funding of over $320 million between 2007 and 2018.  

Committee membership:

A representative of Nature Conservancy of Canada, Michael Bradstreet, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act. 

NatureServe Canada

https://www.natureserve.org/natureserve-network/canada

Executive Director: Patrick Henry

Organizational Profile:

NatureServe Canada is a registered charity that functions as a network of provincial and territorial Conservation Data Centres (CDCs) to develop, manage and distribute authoritative information critical to the conservation of Canada’s biodiversity. Data held by NatureServe Canada are widely used by federal and provincial agencies, private industry, researchers and conservation organizations to improve the management, use and conservation of biological resources in Canada. NatureServe Canada also represents Canadian CDCs within the broader international network of similar centres throughout the western hemisphere known as NatureServe.

NatureServe’s mission is to be the authoritative source for accessible, current, and reliable information on the distribution and abundance of Canada’s biological diversity. They aim to improve decision-making about natural resources and to serve the public by increasing awareness among Canadians of the nation’s natural heritage.

Key activities include:

• establishing scientific standards for biological inventory and biodiversity data management;
• developing comprehensive and current databases on species and ecological communities of conservation concern;
• designing advanced biodiversity data management systems in partnership with information technology leaders;
• making biodiversity information available to the public through websites, publications, and custom services for clients and partners; and
• providing scientific expertise to support clients and partners’ biodiversity programs and research.

Ocean Wise

https://ocean.org/

Vice President of Development: Jeremy Douglas

Organizational Profile:

• Ocean Wise is a global ocean conservation organization focused on protecting and restoring the world’s oceans. Ocean Wise’s mission is to inspire the global community to become Ocean Wise by increasing its understanding, wonder and appreciation for our oceans.

Pembina Institute

https://www.pembina.org/

Executive Director: Simon Dyer

Organizational Profile:

The Pembina Institute is an independent, not-for-profit environmental policy research and education organization that aims to advance clean energy solutions through innovative research, education, consulting and advocacy. Founded in 1985, the Pembina Institute has offices in Vancouver, Yellowknife, Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto. The organization envisions a world in which both immediate and future needs are met in a manner that protects the earth's living systems, ensures clean air, land and water, prevents dangerous climate change and provides for a safe and just global community.

The Pembina Institute’s major areas of work include:

• Climate Policy – The Pembina Institute produces reports, fact sheets, and media releases to support the development and implementation of effective climate policies. They also created the “Energy Policy Simulator”, a free open-source tool that allows users to see how energy and climate policies influence emissions across the country, and gain a deeper understanding of how Canada can lower its carbon emissions.
• Clean Electricity – The Pembina Institute researches and comments on topics like the coal power phase-out, renewable energy, clean technology.
• Oil and Gas – The Pembina Institute produces publications and commentary supporting the development of regulations on oil and gas industry, including methane emissions, and assessing the environmental impacts of major oil and gas development projects, particularly oil sands or LNG.
• Green Buildings – The Pembina Institute researches and provides information about solutions for improving the energy efficiency of buildings, particularly in British Columbia.
• Clean Transportation – The Pembina Institute researches clean solutions for moving goods and people, and engages with the government in the development of policies like the clean fuel standard.

Pollution Probe

https://www.pollutionprobe.org/

CEO: Christopher Hilkene

Organizational Profile:

Pollution Probe is a Canadian charitable environmental organization, founded in 1969, that focuses on the intersection of communities, health and environment. It works to define environmental problems through research, promote understanding through education, and press for practical solutions through advocacy. Pollution Probe focuses on partnership-building, engaging government agencies, private businesses and other not-for-profit organizations to work towards clean air and clean water solutions. Pollution Probe’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of Canadians by advancing policy that achieves positive, tangible environmental change.

Pollution Probe’s major areas of work include:

• Transportation – Pollution Probe researches new technologies and their infrastructure needs to provide cleaner, safer and more sustainable transportation options.
• Energy – Pollution Probe uses a systems approach to identify opportunities for improving the way that we produce, distribute and use energy.
• Great Lakes – Pollution Probe helps cultivate local stewardship for sustainable watershed management in the Great Lakes.
• Chemicals – Pollution Probe helps Canadians connect environmental factors to human health and well-being.
• Waste – Pollution Probe facilitates solutions that support a zero-landfill future based on the 4Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.

Porpoise Conservation Society

https://porpoise.org/

President: Dr. Anna Hall

Organizational Profile:

Founded in 2015, this is the world’s first organization dedicated to the research and conservation of some of the smallest marine mammals – porpoises. The Porpoise Conservation Society was initiated with the goal of becoming the premier resource for education and conservation of all porpoise species. These species are found throughout the northern and southern hemispheres, and have been largely overlooked as a result of their small size and the difficulties of finding them in the wild.

Committee membership:

A representative of the Porpoise Conservation Society, Dr. Anna Hall, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act.  

Sierra Club Canada Foundation

https://www.sierraclub.ca/

Executive Director: John Bennett

Organizational Profile:

Sierra Club Canada Foundation is a member-based, charitable non-governmental organization that aims to empower people to protect, restore and enjoy a healthy and safe planet. Sierra Club Canada has been active since 1963, with the national office established in Ottawa in 1989. There are four active chapters in Canada: Prairie Chapter, Ontario Chapter, Quebec Chapter and Atlantic Canada Chapter. There is no British Columbia Chapter, but it is affiliated with the Sierra Club of BC Foundation. Sierra Club Canada has approximately 10,000 members, supporters, and youth affiliate members across Canada.

The mission of the organization is to empower people to be leaders in protecting, restoring and enjoying healthy and safe ecosystems.

Sierra Club Canada’s major areas of work include:

• Climate Change – Sierra Club Canada works on both the national and the local level to reduce greenhouse gasses and to promote sustainable energy practices.
• Grassroots Action – Sierra Club Canada supports and empowers members to lead their own projects at the local level.
• Health and Wellbeing – Sierra Club Canada promotes education about and recreation in natural spaces.
• Sustainability – Sierra Club Canada engages in promoting ways to live in a sustainable fashion, on both the national and local level.
• Wildlife and Natural Spaces – Sierra Club Canada works with individuals, partners and community groups to promote knowledge of wildlife and natural environments, and to preserve and protect them for all to enjoy.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.

https://www.sfiprogram.org/

President & CEO: Kathy Abusow

Organizational Profile:

SFI is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting forest sustainability and supporting the links between sustainable forests and communities through grant programs, carefully targeted research, youth education, supply chain assurances, and partnerships that effectively contribute to multiple conservation objectives.

Forests certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard cover 285 million acres/115 million hectares, while millions more acres benefit from the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative is a North American 'forest certification standard' and program of SFI Inc., a non-profit organization. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative is the world's largest single forest certification standard by area. The SFI is headquartered in Ottawa.

Committee membership:

A representative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc., Darren Sleep, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act. 

Wildlife Habitat Canada

https://whc.org/

Executive Director: Cameron Mack

Organizational Profile:

Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) works to conserve, restore and enhance wildlife habitat in Canada. WHC funds habitat conservation projects, promote conservation action and foster coordination among conservation groups.

Their grant program has been providing funds that support habitat restoration, enhancement and protection all over Canada since 1985, including projects and initiatives related to waterfowl and migratory birds’ management based on an agreement with Environment Climate Change Canada.

WHC are members of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and strive to improve and enhance the state of migratory birds and their habitats in Canada.

World Wildlife Fund Canada

http://www.wwf.ca/

President and CEO: Megan Leslie

Organizational Profile:

World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada), founded in 1967, is a national conservation non-partisan, non-governmental organization. WWF-Canada has more than 170,000 supporters and over 100 staff working in seven offices across the country. As a member of the WWF International Network, WWF-Canada contributes to the organization’s mission to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:

• conserving the world's biological diversity;
• ensuring that the use of renewable resources is sustainable; and
• promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF employs a range of tools to achieve its conservation results, including field research, scientific mapping, public policy advocacy, market solutions and public education. WWF also created Earth Hour, a symbolic event where people around the world turn off their lights for one hour to show support for action on climate change.

WWF-Canada’s major areas of work include:

• The Arctic – WWF-Canada implements stewardship principles through identifying and conserving the areas that will provide critical habitat for important Arctic species and working with industry to encourage the implementation of best practices.
• Climate and Energy Action – WWF-Canada works towards finding solutions towards sustainably producing energy and using less energy, and moving towards the use of renewable energy.
• Oceans – WWF-Canada leads the transition to sustainable seafood, smart oceans management and sustainable ocean economies.
• Freshwater – WWF-Canada provides data-monitoring and assessments the health of, and threats to, all lakes, streams and rivers across Canada.
• Species at Risk – WWF-Canada addresses global trade in endangered species, reduce effects of climate change on species.

Committee membership:

A representative of WWF-Canada, Pete Ewins, is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC), established under the Species at Risk Act to advise the Minister of ECCC on the administration of the Act. WWF is a partner, alongside ECCC and PCA, of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP), a collective initiative to support efforts to advance Indigenous-led conservation in Canada.