Canadian Environment Week
Get involved
Canadian Environment Week includes:
- June 5: UN World Environment Day
- June 6: Clean Air Day
- June 8: World Oceans Day
In 2018, we’re encouraging Canadians to #BeatPlasticPollution! Join the conversation on social media and spread the word to reduce plastic pollution.
Here are some more ways to make a difference:
Participate at home and with your family
- Say no to single use plastics, like straws and plastic shopping bags
- Purchase ENERGY STAR® certified appliances to save energy. Use the ENERGY STAR® rebate finder to save your wallet
- Explain to your children that it is Canadian Environment Week and show them ways to save energy like switching off lights, turning off taps tightly, and recycling
- Take your family or organize a group trip to a provincial or national park. Many are offering nature interpretation programs and special activities during the week
- Join an environmental organization
- Take advantage of Canadian Environment Week to subscribe to a magazine on environmental protection, wildlife and plants, or outdoor activities
- Join the online conversation on plastic waste and marine litter
Engage your workplace
- Encourage your colleagues to use reusable mugs and bottles rather than Styrofoam or plastic
- Organize an environment day where you and your colleagues can improve your understanding of the environment and brainstorm ways to protect it
- Suggest that your workplace use ENERGY STAR® certified products to save energy
- Launch a carpool campaign
- Encourage your colleagues to bike to work
Beat plastic pollution at your school
- Organize a clean-up day at a park, schoolyard, or beach, with the help of your school board
- Plan school trips to wastewater treatment plants, weather offices, or environmental firms
- Urge your school board to undertake school projects on the environment and plastic pollution
- Invite each class to conduct research in your area, and have them present a class report during Canadian Environment Week
Join activities in your neighborhood
- Launch a neighbourhood litter-prevention and cleanup campaign
- Take part in a tree planting campaign
- Donate old clothes and appliances to second hand stores so they can be reused
- Ask community organizations to make an official statement about Canadian Environment Week, and commit to practical steps to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment
- Contact local shopping centres and employers and suggest they install bicycle racks on their property
- Ask your local newspaper to publish an issue on the environment during Canadian Environment Week
- Organize a bicycle trip to environmentally important and historic sites in your area
Get involved in your municipality
- Ask your municipal council to hold an official kick-off for Canadian Environment Week
- Urge your municipality to hold a contest recognizing outstanding environmental initiatives
- Ask your municipal council to create bike paths in your city
- Organize an exhibit on the environment at your municipal library or community centre
- Ask your municipal library to buy more books and documents on Canada’s environment and natural heritage
- Urge your municipality to organize official public ceremonies associated with the environment and invite local mayors, MPs, business leaders, and environmental groups to take part
- Organize a display at your library to show natural history collections belonging to residents in your area
Do something every day, something big or something small, to protect our planet by visiting the EnviroTips.
History and scope
Established in 1971, Canadian Environment Week celebrates the government’s environmental accomplishments and encourages Canadians to contribute to preserving and protecting their environment.
The Canadian Environment Week Act states that every year throughout Canada, the week that includes June 5 shall be kept and observed under the name of Canadian Environment Week. Historically, Canadian Environment Week has been one of Environment and Climate Change’s key events during the year. During Canadian Environment Week, Canadians proactively seek out information on the environment.
The scope of the Program for Canadian Environment Week includes activities highlighting federal government actions towards protecting the environment. The program will consist of potential announcements, speaking opportunities, federal environmental clean-up activities and challenges.
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