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 are available to all interested people in Canada, with efforts made to reach communities that may face disproportionate environmental and health risks.
You may provide your comments on the draft implementation framework until December 4, 2024, by sending them by email or mail to the address below. The comments will inform the development of the final implementation framework, which will be published in Summer 2025.
The draft implementation framework considers feedback received through public consultations and engagement on a discussion document that was published earlier in 2024. A summary of the comments from written submissions, workshops and Indigenous-led engagement activities can be found in a What We Heard report.
On November 5, 2024, an information session on the draft implementation framework for a right to a healthy environment under CEPA will be held. You can submit questions to be responded to at the session when registering or send your questions by email. Details on how to connect to the information session will be provided upon registration.
Privacy Act Notice Statement
The personal information is collected under the authority of subsection 7(1) of the Financial Administration Act and section 5 of the Department of the Environment Act.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is seeking your comments on its draft Implementation Framework for the Right to a Healthy Environment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). The comments received will be considered when developing the final implementation framework. Your participation and decision to provide comments is voluntary.
The personal information created, held or collected by Environment and Climate Change Canada is protected under the Privacy Act. The information you provide will be used, disclosed and retained in accordance with the conditions listed in the Personal Information Bank Outreach Activities PSU 938.
Any questions or comments regarding this privacy notice may be directed to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Access to Information and Privacy Division at ECATIP-ECAIPRP@ec.gc.ca. If you are not satisfied that we have adequately respected your privacy, you have a right to file a complaint. You may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada by calling their information center at 1-800-282-1376 or by visiting their contact page.
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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