A Right to a Healthy Environment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
In June 2023, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) was amended and modernized. With these changes, the Government of Canada recognizes, in the preamble, that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment as provided under CEPA. The Government of Canada also has a duty to protect the right to a healthy environment when making decisions under the Act.
The amendments confirm the Government’s commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which will be implemented in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples.
Definition of a healthy environment
In CEPA, a healthy environment is defined as being “clean, healthy, and sustainable.”
Development of an implementation framework
An implementation framework is being developed and must be published by June 2025. The development of the framework is being informed by input and perspectives provided through public engagement. The framework will set out how the right to a healthy environment will be considered when administering CEPA. It will elaborate on:
- Foundational principles such as environmental justice, intergenerational equity, and non-regression
- Relevant factors to consider in interpreting and applying the right to a healthy environment under CEPA and determining its reasonable limits, such as social, health, economic, environmental and scientific considerations
- Mechanisms under CEPA that support the protection of the right to a healthy environment
- Research, studies and monitoring activities to support the protection of the right
Get involved
Engagement opportunities were available to all interested people in Canada, with efforts made to reach communities that may face disproportionate environmental and health risks.
The comment period for the draft implementation framework closed on December 4, 2024. We appreciate the feedback received and are working on finalizing the framework to be published by June 2025.
The draft implementation framework considered feedback received through public consultations and engagement on a discussion document that was published in February 2024. A summary of the comments on the discussion document from written submissions, workshops and Indigenous-led engagement activities can be found in a What We Heard report.
Related information
Strengthening protections from pollution and the right to a healthy environment
Notice with respect to the draft Implementation Framework for the Right to a Healthy Environment
Contact us
We would love to hear from you!
Right to a Healthy Environment Implementation Framework Team
Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Directorate
Place Vincent Massey
351 Boulevard Saint-Joseph
Gatineau, QC
K1A 0H3
Email: healthyenv-envsain@ec.gc.ca
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