Law firm asks N.S. party leaders to commit to ‘a right to a healthy environment’
An Atlantic Canadian law firm, East Coast Environmental Law, is leading a campaign to establish a right to a healthy environment in Nova Scotia. The proposed legislation would require the government to legally protect the environment for both current and future generations, ensuring biodiversity preservation and aligning with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Tina Northrup, a lawyer with East Coast Environmental Law, emphasized the importance of making a right to a healthy environment a fundamental human right in the province. The firm is petitioning political party leaders to support the bill of rights, seeking to garner widespread public support for the initiative.
Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender has expressed her party’s commitment to advocating for the legislation if they were to form a government. The NDP has previously introduced similar legislation through private member’s bills but faced challenges in gaining support from other parties.
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill, who was part of the government when the NDP first proposed the legislation, stated that he was not familiar with the current proposal from East Coast Environmental Law. However, he highlighted the Liberal Party’s track record of prioritizing environmental protection and climate action.
The Progressive Conservative Party did not explicitly state their position on the proposed right to a healthy environment. However, spokesperson Catherine Klimek emphasized the party’s focus on emissions reduction, land protection, energy upgrades, and climate change mitigation.
The Green Party of Nova Scotia has voiced support for an environmental bill of rights that recognizes the basic human right to a healthy environment. Green Leader Anthony Edmonds emphasized the importance of incorporating Mi’kmaq knowledge in shaping such legislation.
Regardless of the election outcome on Nov. 26, Northrup stressed the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. She highlighted the need for political unity in tackling these pressing environmental issues, despite polling data showing that healthcare, affordability, and housing are top concerns for voters.
In conclusion, the push for a right to a healthy environment in Nova Scotia underscores the critical need for proactive environmental legislation to safeguard the province’s natural resources for future generations. The collaboration of political parties and public support will be essential in advancing this important initiative.
