Federal government releases first national strategy on environmental racism

The federal government released its first national strategy on environmental racism Friday, setting out a five-year plan to reduce environmental inequities affecting Indigenous, racialized and marginalized communities in Canada.

Environment and Climate Change Canada published Canada's National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice 2026–2031 on Oct. 23. The strategy, the first of its kind produced by the federal government, was required under Bill C-226, which received royal assent on June 20, 2024.

"Environmental harms and risks are not always experienced equally, including by Indigenous, racialized, and other marginalized communities who have historically been left out of environmental decision-making, policies, and practices," Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said in a news release. "Through dedicated conversations like national forums and community-specific sessions, we have developed a Strategy to address these known challenges. It will share our path forward as we work in partnership to advance environmental justice and support more equitable outcomes."

The strategy document defines environmental racism as a form of systemic racism that occurs when environmental policies and practices harm certain groups disproportionately based on their race, including through the placement of polluting industries near Indigenous, Black, racialized or marginalized communities.

The strategy focuses on facilities that report to the National Pollutant Release Inventory, active and suspected federal contaminated sites, and federally regulated wastewater effluent sources. It calls for community-informed decision-making, fair access to environmental information, and efforts to avoid disproportionate environmental impacts on marginalized groups.

The document was informed by a symposium held Sept. 13–14, 2024, the first national event of its kind in Canada, which drew more than 300 participants in person and online. A public consultation on a draft strategy ran for 45 days between June 26 and Aug. 10, 2026, drawing more than 200 submissions from individuals, organizations, academics and Indigenous governments.

"Advancing environmental justice will require ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and a commitment to learning from the experiences of communities across the country and preventing environmental racism moving forward," Dabrusin wrote in the strategy's foreword.

The strategy covers the period from 2026 to 2031. Environment and Climate Change Canada can be reached at 1-844-836-7799.