A right to a healthy environment under CEPA

In June 2023, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) was amended and modernized. Among the changes, the Government of Canada now recognizes, in the preamble, that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment under CEPA, subject to reasonable limits.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada (HC) have published the Implementation Framework for the Right to a Healthy Environment under CEPA. The Framework outlines how ECCC and HC will consider this right in administering the Act to fulfill the Government’s duty to protect the right to a healthy environment.

You can access the Implementation Framework here.