Canada is committed to the conservation and protection of natural biodiversity in fresh water, land, and oceans. Through the Environmental Damages Fund, the Government of Canada is actively contributing to environmental restoration and wildlife conservation. This fund utilizes fines collected from environmental infractions to support projects that aim to heal and protect nature, restore habitats, and preserve wildlife populations.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support these 22 projects through the Environmental Damages Fund, which ensures that environmental good follows harm. The important work undertaken by groups such as Ciel et Terre, as they work to enhance their local environments and protect important species like the Western Chorus Frog, will have lasting positive impacts on Canada’s natural environment.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“I am pleased to see the Government of Canada support projects across Canada through the Environmental Damages Fund, an initiative that ensures environmental benefits are generated in response to damages caused. The commendable efforts led by organizations like Ciel et Terre in Longueuil, as they work to enhance their local environments and protect important species, will have lasting positive impacts on the natural environment of Longueuil and contribute to its sustainable growth.”

– Sherry Romanado, Member of Parliament for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons  

“Ciel et Terre would like to extend its warmest thanks to the Government of Canada for its support of this project, which was made possible thanks to funding from the Environmental Damages Fund. These funds will provide us with a unique opportunity to restore and enhance a portion of the Massé Stream. Several species at risk will benefit, including the Western Chorus Frog, the Monarch Butterfly, and the Bobolink.”

– Michel Saint-Denis, President, Ciel et Terre

• The Western Chorus Frog has been listed as threatened on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act since 2010 due to key threats to the species, including urban development, agricultural activities, and expansion of infrastructure. Facilitating the recovery of species like the Western Chorus Frog will contribute to overall biodiversity and the maintenance of healthy ecosystems, human health, prosperity, and well-being.

• Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government of Canada specified purpose account administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. This Fund provides an effective and innovative mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit Canada’s natural environment.

• The Environmental Damages Fund supports projects that help to restore natural resources that are similar to those damaged by the original incident, and are located at or near the location where environmental damage occurred.

• Fines and penalties are automatically directed to the Fund under 14 federal legislative clauses, including the Fisheries Act, subsection 40(6), the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. Five federal statutes contain discretionary clauses that can be used to direct fines and penalties to the Fund, including the Fisheries Act, subsection 79.2(f).

Related products

• The Government of Canada invests $6.7 million to support 22 environmental projects across Canada

Associated links

• Environmental Damages Fund

Kaitlin Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-230-1557
Kaitlin.Power@ec.gc.ca

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