Bill C-230 (Historical)

National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act

An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Lenore Zann Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Report stage (House), as of June 22, 2021
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment requires the Minister of the Environment, in consultation or cooperation with any persons, bodies, organizations or communities who are interested, to develop a national strategy to promote efforts across Canada to address the harm caused by environmental racism. It also provides for reporting requirements in relation to the strategy.

Similar bills

C-226 (current session) Law National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice Act

C-230 (43rd Parliament, 1st session) National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-230s:

C-230 (2022) Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act

C-230 (2016) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (firearm — definition of variant)

C-230 (2013) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (arrest without a warrant)

Votes

March 24, 2021 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-230 seeks a national strategy to address environmental racism by examining links between race, socio-economic status, and environmental hazards, and by collecting related data.

Liberal

Supports bill C-230: Liberals support Bill C-230 to develop a national strategy addressing environmental racism and its disproportionate impact on indigenous and racialized communities.
Defines environmental racism: Environmental racism involves the disproportionate exposure of racialized communities to pollution and hazards due to systemic factors like colonialism and unequal protection.
Requires a national strategy: The bill mandates developing a national strategy to examine links between race/status/risk, collect data on hazards and health, and propose solutions like policy changes and community involvement.
Complements existing efforts: The bill builds on existing anti-racism and environmental protection laws by specifically studying environmental racism, uncovering gaps, and moving the issue forward.

Conservative

Acknowledge disproportionate impacts: Conservatives acknowledge that environmental issues like mercury poisoning and lack of clean water disproportionately affect indigenous communities due to legacy government failures.
Oppose bill C-230's approach: While supporting the principle, Conservatives oppose the bill, questioning the lack of consultation with First Nations and disagreeing with the term "environmental racism."
Blame government failures: Conservatives argue that environmental issues are primarily caused by long-term government neglect and inaction, not systemic racism by Canadians, criticizing the Liberals' broken promises.

NDP

Supports the bill: The NDP supports the bill and believes urgent action is needed to address environmental justice and the disproportionate impacts felt by racialized communities.
Disproportionate impact: Environmental racism disproportionately harms Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities through toxic sites, pollution, tainted water, and exclusion from decision-making.
Need broader legislation: The party advocates for a federal environmental bill of rights to enshrine the right to a healthy environment and calls for updating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
Government inaction and colonization: The NDP criticizes the government's lack of action on systemic racism and links environmental injustices to Canada's colonial history and ongoing violations of Indigenous rights.

Bloc

Attacks Quebec's sovereignty: The bill is a direct infringement on Quebec's environmental sovereignty, particularly the clause allowing the federal government to assess provincial environmental laws.
Vague concept of environmental racism: The bill uses the undefined and politically charged concept of "environmental racism," which is problematic for clear and universal legislative application.
Advocates for universal policies: The Bloc believes universal environmental policies, applying to everyone regardless of differences, are the most effective way to dismantle inequality and discrimination.
Federal government must respect jurisdiction: The federal government should address its own environmental failures and respect provincial jurisdiction, rather than imposing its will and assessing provincial laws.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

The House resumed from March 23 consideration of the motion that Bill C-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism ActPrivate Members' Business

March 24th, 2021 / 4:25 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

Pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-230.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #78

National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism ActPrivate Members' Business

March 24th, 2021 / 4:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded divisions, Government Orders will be extended by 72 minutes.

The hon. member for Mégantic—L’Érable on a point of order.

National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism ActPrivate Members' Business

March 24th, 2021 / 4:40 p.m.

Conservative

Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

Mr. Speaker, as the last vote was taking place, we were unable to access the site and see each of our colleagues' votes simultaneously. I tried to refresh the page, but it did not work. I think it is important that the system be fully functional so that all votes count in the House.

I would ask you to take note of that and check what happened from a technical standpoint. I do think it is very important that we be able to see how our colleagues are voting as we go.

National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism ActPrivate Members' Business

March 24th, 2021 / 4:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I thank the hon. member for Mégantic—L’Érable. That is a very good point. We will check with our technicians to make sure it does not happen again.

Order. It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona, Natural Resources; the hon. member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, The Environment; the hon. member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay, The Environment.