Canadian Bill Aims to Address Environmental Racism
A graphic illustrating Dr. Waldron’s book, which influenced a new Canadian bill. (Wikimedia Commons)
Bill C-230, first introduced by Nova Scotia MP Lenore Zann, will stand for debate in the House of Commons on March 23. Also known as the National Strategy to Redress Environment Racism Act, the bill looks to create a national strategy that would examine associations between environmental dangers and race. It also aims to ensure access to clean air and water for communities affected by climate change.
Ingrid Waldron, an associate professor at Dalhousie University, provided the inspiration for the legislation. Her book gave rise to a 2019 Netflix documentary about environmental racism. Waldron discusses the contamination of lands in BIPOC communities and correlates it with health issues such as cancer and asthma. Advocates from these communities do not often leave a mark with the government and are not so much as allowed to participate in decisions relevant to their wellbeing.
Waldron and Zann first drafted a version of the bill in 2015. Bill C-230’s second reading began in December and will face a vote soon after the reading resumes in March. The bill gained support from groups like the David Suzuki Foundation, an environmental non-profit organization. Zann has also sought to gain support from the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois. If the bill passes, it will continue onto the committee.
The latest version of the bill adds provisions to further help with environmental racism in Canada and calls for data to examine potential links between factors including race and gender, and contamination. Bill C-230 also looks to improve consultation with communities impacted by environmental racism.
Waldron remains hopeful that the legislation will pass, but even if it does not, she emphasizes that the bill has raised awareness about environmental racism at large. This bill could provide a way for Canada to address the inequalities facing BIPOC and their communities within society in general.