The History, Present and Future Possibilities for Environmental Justice in Canada
- fbf666
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
Environmental racism is a major concept to unpack in the context of Canada’s past, present and future.
“Environmental racism” refers to the disproportionate exposure of racialized and marginalized communities to environmental hazards and the systemic exclusion of these communities from decision-making processes concerning environmental policies. This is a structural, historical, and ongoing fact of life for many Racialized and Indigenous people in Canada.
It is also a multifaceted issue, spanning concerns such as:
Exposure to toxins
Food insecurity
Reduced access to green space
Contaminated water
Gentrification
Two historical examples of environmental racism in Canada are Africville and Grassy Narrows:
Africville
Africville was a predominantly Black community established in the mid-18th century on the southern shore of the Bedford Basin in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Despite paying taxes, residents were denied basic municipal services like sewage, clean water, and garbage disposal. In the 1960s, the City of Halifax demolished Africville under the guise of urban renewal, forcibly relocating residents and destroying homes and the community church.
The destruction of Africville displaced a close-knit community, leading to loss of cultural heritage and ongoing socio-economic challenges for former residents and their descendants.
Grassy Narrows
Between 1962 and 1970, the Dryden Chemical Company discharged approximately 9,000 to 11,000 kilograms of mercury into the Wabigoon River, contaminating the water and fish—a staple food source for the Grassy Narrows First Nation. This led to severe health issues, including symptoms akin to Minamata disease, a neurological syndrome caused by mercury poisoning.A 2022 study found that 90% of Grassy Narrows residents suffer from mercury poisoning, experiencing symptoms such as numbness, seizures, and cognitive impairments.
Environmental justice seeks the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This would mean that everyone–regardless of race, ethnicity, income, etc–would have the right to the same environmental protections and benefits, as well as meaningful involvement in the policies that shape their communities.
Key Principles of environmental justice are:
Equitable Access: Ensuring all communities have access to a clean and healthy environment.
Community Empowerment: Enabling communities to participate in decision-making processes that affect their environment and health.
Thanks to local environmental justice movements, we have seen some incremental progress:
Pictou Landing First Nation (Nova Scotia)
For decades, the Boat Harbour facility was used as a dumping site for effluent from a nearby pulp and paper mill, contaminating the water and affecting the health and livelihoods of the Pictou Landing First Nation community. Persistent advocacy by the community led to the Nova Scotia government's decision to close the Boat Harbour facility and undertake cleanup efforts, representing a significant victory for environmental justice.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation (Ontario)
Located near Sarnia's Chemical Valley, the Aamjiwnaang community has been exposed to high levels of industrial pollution from numerous petrochemical facilities, leading to health issues such as respiratory problems and skewed birth ratios. The community has been actively involved in monitoring air quality and advocating for stricter environmental regulations to protect their health and environment.
Bill C-226: A Step Toward Addressing Environmental Racism in Canada
Background
Initially introduced in the House of Commons by MP Lenore Zann in 2020 as a private member’s bill, Bill C-230 was inspired by the work of Dr. Ingrid Waldron on environmental racism in Canada. While Bill C-230 failed to pass in 2020, it was later reintroduced by MP Elizabeth May as Bill C-226 in 2022, and subsequently passed in the House of Commons in 2023, eventually receiving Royal Assent and becoming law in June 2024.
This “National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice Act” mandates the development of a national strategy, by the Minister of the Environment, to address and prevent environmental racism and promote environmental justice in Canada.
Objectives of the Bill:
Data Collection: Gathering information on locations affected by environmental hazards and the health impacts on marginalized communities.
Community Engagement: Ensuring affected communities are involved in creating solutions and policy recommendations.
Policy Development: Formulating strategies to prevent future environmental injustices and remediate existing issues.
Challenges and Next Steps:
While laudable that environmental racism and justice are finally an official part of the national agenda, this Act is yet another incremental step towards understanding the true impacts of environmental racism in communities across the country, and taking action to address and prevent further harm. The Minister of the Environment was given a two year deadline that may linger in limbo as the country prepares for a new federal election this month.
We cannot afford to leave environmental justice in limbo, nor allow it to be politicized when it is a reality facing so many Canadians today. It will take continued efforts at the local level to secure environmental justice for all those who call Canada home, today, and tomorrow.
Alicia Richins (She/They)
A climate justice advocate, sustainable impact strategist, and writer passionate about imagining beyond the plausible.
As founder of The Climateverse, they use storytelling and futures methods to inspire just, sustainable futures. With a decade of facilitation and five years of consulting experience, Alicia helps organizations and communities craft futures-focused impact strategies addressing climate, social, and economic justice.
A proud Trinbagonian-Canadian, their work is shaped by deep engagement in the youth climate movement across Canada and the Caribbean, alongside graduate studies and ongoing learning in ecological economics, urban planning, sustainability, and strategic foresight.