WINNIPEG — Leading environment and policy groups are driving the conversation about Canada’s environmental laws by hosting a public town hall on Wednesday. This timely event coincides with the federal government’s review of recent environmental law changes, with the aim of restoring lost protection.

The Town Hall for Environmental Law takes place November 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Eckharte-Gramatte Hall at the University of Winnipeg. Anna Johnston of West Coast Environmental Law, Patricia Fitzpatrick from the University of Winnipeg, and Elder Florence Paynter will present as panelists, and the town hall will be moderated by CBC’s Terry MacLeod.

“This review is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help build leading-edge solutions for the next generation of federal environmental assessment,” said Anna Johnston, lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law. “The public has a critical role in ensuring we get it right, so we’re helping people understand how they have a say in this review.”

Currently, the federal government has embarked on a country-wide review of Environmental Assessment, often sharing information with the hashtag #EAReview, and the expert panel will be in Winnipeg on November 16.

“We want to talk to people how strong federal protection is important for Manitobans, and encourage the public to voice their opinions while the federal government is listening,” said Patricia Fitzpatrick, Associate Professor at the University of Winnipeg.

The coalition wants the new environmental assessment law to explicitly include critical pillars such as transparency and meaningful participation for the people, co-governance with Indigenous Nations, and clear provisions for monitoring and enforcement.

The federal government is also initiating reviews of recent changes to the Fisheries Act, Navigable Waters Protection Act, and the National Energy Board Act.

“With pipelines, hydro dams and climate change dominating our national dialogue, the stakes have never been higher to get environmental protection right,” said Eric Reder, Manitoba Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee.

The event is hosted by Wilderness Committee, Green Action Centre, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg,, Manitoba Eco-Network, the University of Winnipeg’s Geography & Environmental Students Association (GESA), West Coast Environmental Law and Public Interest Law Centre (Manitoba)

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