We are pleased to hear today’s announcement of the $3.8 Billion investment, along with new measures, to help Canada meet our commitments of protecting 30 percent of land and waters by 2030.

Nature is a core component of Canadian identity and essential to the future resilience and health of our communities. We look forward to further details in the coming months about how this strategy will advance nature-based solutions and restore community-based relationships with nature for the over 80% of Canadians who live in urban communities.

In particular, support for Key Biodiversity Areas is critical where these areas overlap with urban communities. We also celebrate the launch of an Expert Taskforce on Nature Capital Accounting and Nature Financing. We must value and fund nature as an essential component of placemaking and resilience in Canada’s urban communities.

We celebrate today’s announcement and eagerly await details on how these initiatives will fund and expand opportunities to support urban climate resilience through nature-based solutions. Expanding support for community-led initiatives recognizes the role community-led actions play at the grassroots level and ensures that, as municipal projects evolve, they include and respect many community voices.