Re. Bill C-226, An Act Respecting the Development of a National Strategy to Assess, Prevent and Address Environmental Racism and To Advance Environmental Justice

Bill C-226, An Act Respecting the Development of a National Strategy to Assess, Prevent and Address Environmental Racism and To Advance Environmental Justice The undersigned civil society organizations – advocates for social justice and equity, environmental protection, and public health – urge you to co-operate to expedite passage of Bill C-226, Canada’s first environmental racism law, as soon as. [...] It’s time to pass the bill and begin the long-overdue work to develop and implement a national strategy on environmental racism and environmental justice. [...] The US EPA defines environmental justice as, “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. [...] This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys: ● The same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and ● Equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work."1 Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate impacts on Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities from polluting industries and other environmenta. [...] Avoiding further delay will allow the important work of examining the link between racialization, socio-economic status and environmental risk, and developing a national strategy on environmental racism and environmental justice to begin.