Nearly 100 countries formally recognize a healthy environment as a basic human right. Humans depend on clean air to breathe and clean water to drink to have good quality of life. Severe pollution has been scientifically linked to respiratory and heart disease as well as cancer. However, Canada is one of a handful of countries who's government has yet to recognize this fundamental right for its citizens.
We call on the Prime Minister and the federal government of Canada to stand up for our right to a healthy environment. While the federal government has stated that they plan to harmonize tougher vehicle emissions standards with the U.S., more can and needs to be done to preserve our environment. We ask for tougher standards for industrial emissions and tougher regulations for energy sector practices to avoid accidents. Also, we ask government to respect Canada's pristine wilderness areas and the rights of First Nations and leave these areas untouched for future generations.
Most of all, Canada's federal government must acknowledge that a healthy environment is a fundamental human right.
It's time for all Canadians to call on the federal government to make the right of a healthy environment a binding law in Canada!