OTTAWA – Environmental organizations in Canada are raising serious alarms over Prime Minister Mark Carney’s upcoming biodiversity policy, warning that a lack of federal funding could derail the country’s conservation goals. With the current five-year, $2.3 billion Nature Legacy fund set to expire on March 31, advocates fear that thousands of endangered species will be left without protection. Projections suggest that federal nature spending could plummet from $953 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year to just $366 million in 2026-27, a shift that critics say undermines Canada’s international commitment to protect 30% of its land and oceans by 2030.
The Carney government appears to be shifting its strategy away from direct public funding toward a model that incentivizes private investors and philanthropic organizations. This approach is reportedly inspired by the “Great Bear Rainforest” initiative in British Columbia, which successfully combined public and private capital to manage vast tracts of land. However, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and other groups argue that environmental protection is a fundamental public service that should remain a government responsibility. They warn that relying on profit-driven corporations to lead conservation efforts is a dangerous gamble that may prioritize financial returns over ecological integrity.
This latest policy shift has further strained the relationship between the Liberal government and the environmental community. Since taking office, Prime Minister Carney has already drawn heavy criticism for abolishing the national carbon tax and abandoning a high-profile pledge to plant two billion trees. With Canada currently protecting only 14% of its land and 16% of its marine areas, activists view the reduction in direct funding as a retreat from federal leadership at a time when the climate and biodiversity crises require more investment, not less.
