Environment & Climate Change Canada

Parliamentary Secretary Myles Highlights Canada Nature Strategy Fredericton Apr 24

Parliamentary Secretary David Myles will highlight Canada's new nature strategy 'A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature' at Killarney Lake Rotary Centennial Lodge in Fredericton on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ADT. Media representatives are invited to attend the in-person event and can register via Environment and Climate Change Canada's Media Relations contact. The event follows the recent launch of the strategy by Minister Julie Dabrusin and Secretary of State Nathalie Provost.

Minister Dabrusin Champions Climate Competitiveness at G7

Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin will participate in the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Germany (April 21–22, 2026) followed by the G7 Environment Ministers' Meeting in Paris, France (April 23–24, 2026), where she will advance Canada's Climate Competitiveness Strategy and nature protection commitments ahead of UNFCCC COP31 and CBD COP17. Canada's recently enhanced oil and gas methane regulations are projected to deliver approximately $23.9 billion in net benefits between 2028 and 2040 while supporting responsible resource development and clean energy investment.

Technical Briefing Ahead of Petersberg Climate Dialogue and G7 Environment Ministers Meeting

Environment and Climate Change Canada will hold a bilingual technical briefing on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EDT via Zoom to discuss Canada's participation in the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Germany (April 20-22, 2026) and the G7 Environment Ministers' Meeting in Paris, France (April 23-24, 2026). Media representatives are asked to register by contacting ECCC Media Relations at media@ec.gc.ca. The briefing is on background only and not for attribution.

Canada Technical Briefing Petersberg Climate Dialogue G7, April 17

Environment and Climate Change Canada will hold a bilingual technical briefing for media on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EDT via Zoom. The briefing covers Canada's participation in the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Germany (April 20-22, 2026) and the G7 Environment Ministers' Meeting in Paris, France (April 23-24, 2026). Media representatives are asked to register by contacting ECCC Media Relations at media@ec.gc.ca.

Canada Releases National Freshwater Science Agenda for Next Decade

Environment and Climate Change Canada has released the National Freshwater Science Agenda during Canada Water Week, developed over two years of engagement with over 800 science experts, Knowledge Holders, and stakeholders across federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, academic, and private sector organizations. The Science Agenda outlines six interconnected themes: bridging Indigenous science and Knowledge, water availability, land-use stressors and pollution, ecosystem resilience and biodiversity, socio-ecological and economic research, and decision-support systems. No regulatory obligations or compliance deadlines are imposed; the Agenda serves as a coordinating framework for future freshwater research priorities in Canada.

Canada Announces $5.2M for 31 Species at Risk Projects

The Government of Canada, through Environment and Climate Change Canada, announced up to $5.2 million in funding for the 2025-2026 Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) cycle, supporting 31 conservation projects nationwide. The announcement marks the 25th anniversary of Canada's longest-running species at risk program, which has invested over $241 million in over 3,800 projects since 2000. Recipients include non-governmental organizations, Indigenous groups, universities, and community organizations undertaking habitat restoration, species monitoring, and threat mitigation activities.

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The Government of Canada, through the Royal Assent of Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, will deliver a one-time top-up payment in spring 2026 (no later than June 2026) equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-2026 GST credit value, providing $3.1 billion in immediate assistance. The benefit will also increase by 25% for five years starting July 2026, delivering $8.6 billion in additional support to over 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians, including 2.8 million in Quebec. Maximum payments are $402 for a single individual without children, $527 for a couple, and $805 for a couple with two children.

Severe Freezing Rain Technical Briefing for Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a media advisory on March 10, 2026, announcing a bilingual technical briefing scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EDT the same day via Zoom, regarding a severe freezing rain event expected to affect areas of Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada beginning March 11, 2026. The advisory describes the freezing rain as potentially extensive, widespread, and prolonged. Media representatives were provided with Zoom access details and instructions to include their full name and outlet in their screen names to participate in the question period.

Canada Launches Hybrid AI Weather Forecasting Model for Severe Weather

Environment and Climate Change Canada announced on April 9, 2026, that it will launch a hybrid AI weather forecasting model this spring, combining artificial intelligence with traditional physics-based methods. The model, developed by ECCC scientists and meteorologists over the past year of parallel testing, improves forecast accuracy across all time scales, enabling six-day forecasts to match current five-day accuracy and extending detection of major weather systems by 8 to over 24 hours. This is an informational announcement of a government service improvement rather than a regulatory mandate or compliance requirement.