Ponoka-Didsbury MP meets with environmental advocates for Nature on the Hill Day

OTTAWA -- Ponoka-Didsbury MP Blaine Calkins held meetings with environmental advocates as part of Nature on the Hill Day.

The annual event was held Oct. 20-21 and provided an opportunity for various environmental groups to meet directly with parliamentarians to discuss the need to take measures to protect Canada's natural environment. As part of these meetings, representatives from the Alberta Wilderness Association, Western Sky Land Trust, and Nature Canada held discussions with MP Calkins.

"We had a chat on the importance of protecting Canada's rich natural heritage, while ensuring Canadians can continue to access and enjoy the great outdoors," said Calkins. "From coast to coast to coast, our country is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, and Conservatives look forward to continuing dialogues with partners in conservation on how we can best conserve our lands, waters, and wildlife for generations to come."

Many of the discussions during Nature on the Hill Day related to Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which has drawn concerns from environmental advocates. The legislation aims to streamline approvals for major projects by cutting down review times. Projects with the "national interest designation" could receive exemptions from certain environmental assessments.

This year marked the eighth year for Nature on the Hill Day, which is an initiative led by Nature Canada. There were delegates from more than 70 organizations over the course of the event, including naturalist groups, faith-based organizations, land trusts, and indigenous groups from across the country. 

EKOS polling from earlier this year showed that 75 per cent of Canadians agreed that safeguarding Canada's natural heritage should be a key consideration when building the country.