Canada: Members of Parliament express cross-party support for international crime of “ecocide”
Summary:
At a press conference on Thursday 30th May, MPs from three of Canada’s federal political parties, Patrick Weiler (Liberal), Alexandre Boulerice (NDP), and Elizabeth May (Green), affirmed their support for making ecocide a crime at the International Criminal Court.
The press conference, organised by Stop Ecocide Canada and hosted by Stop Ecocide Toronto’s Mia Feldman, followed MP Patrick Weiler’s presentation to Parliament of an e-petition containing over 1,200 signatures declaring support for making ecocide an international crime to the Canadian House of Commons.
Watch the full press conference here.
Mia Feldman of Stop Ecocide Toronto opened the conference saying:
“As we speak, Canada is burning. We are only in May, and climate exacerbated wildfires are already burning in several provinces. 69% of world wildlife populations have plummeted since 1970. Negligence in extractive processes that result in pollution threaten the health and safety of our communities. It is clear that our current legislation is insufficient. It is clear that we need a law against ecocide..”
MP Patrick Weiler (Liberal) offered:
“Canada has long been a supporter of international law and the international rules-based system which, as I mentioned, allows us to punch above our weight. [...] And just as we have done in the past, I think working together with our international counterparts on creating an offense of ecocide would be another important step in this direction.”
MP Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) said:
“[Translated] "If we destroy human populations, you can be held criminally responsible. But if you destroy environments and species and biodiversity, species that are unique, there should also be criminal accountability."
MP Elizabeth May (Green) said:
“We really need to take some responsibility for ensuring that the Earth, our home, and human civilization have a future."