Benjamin Swan

Sharing research into the economic risks and opportunities arising from climate change and policy/programs to reduce carbon risk and advance sustainable finance. Sharing research and policy recommendations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and policies/programs to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 Research methods and findings relevant to the development and implementation of a National Adaptation Strategy Federal policy and investment related to reducing the impacts of climate change on infrastructure. Establishment of a federal Net Zero Advisory Body

Advocating to prevent the proposed weakening of robust environmental impact assessment processes, species at-risk legislation, meaningful fisheries and habitat protections, and other environmental regulations and policies as outlined in the "Getting Major Projects Built in Canada" discussion paper” Advocating to amend provisions related to changes to the Pest Control Product Act in the Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act (Bill C-30) and the Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 (Bill C-31) to ensure adequate protection of the environment and health. Advocating for the effective implementation of the National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice Act (Bill C-226), including through the development of the national strategy on environmental racism and environmental justice Advocating against the expansion of oil and gas production which increases greenhouse gas emissions including via opposing a new oil pipeline to the west coast; new subsidies to enable more production of oil and gas; as well as the weakening of climate and environmental laws and regulations such as the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, Clean Electricity Regulations, and Methane regulations. Advocating to protect and maintain the greenwashing provisions contained in the Competition Act Advocating to maintain or increase funding of federal environmental and health programs related to issues including the Enhanced Nature Legacy Fund, Chemicals Management Plan or climate emissions reduction programs Advocating for the implementation and enforcement of the Coal Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Advocating to oppose proposed legislative amendments to change the Pest Control Product Act to remove cyclical pesticide re-evaluations as stated in the 2025 federal budget Advocating for amending Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act Advocacy for the addition of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) class to schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and risk management measures. Advocating for the phase out of open net fish farm technologies. Advocating for the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans. Advocating for federal policies and laws to halt and reverse the biodiversity crisis and to meet Canada’s commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework. Meetings and advocacy with respect to the federal protected areas strategy and policies and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Advocating for the assessment, listing, risk management and regulation of substances under the Canadian Enviromental Protection Act. Meetings and Advocacy related to government laws, policies and programs regarding critical minerals and mining. Obtaining recognition of constitutionally-protected environmental rights, including the codification of these rights through the proposed Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights; Advocating to strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) regulations and policies Advocating for regulating plastics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Advocating for the implementation of the changes made to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act with passage of Bill S-5. Advocating for the adoption of recommendations provided by the Green Budget Coalition in the federal government's budget or budget bill. Statutory review of the Pest Control Products Act, engagement on Pest Control Products regulatory transformation, renewal and cancellation policy. Statutory review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and amendments to other toxics law policies and/or regulations including the Pest Control Products Act and the Consumer Product Safety Act. Implementing the Fisheries Act to better protect fish, fish habitat and water flows. Implementation of the Species at Risk Act in a manner that ensures protection of species-at-risk. Implementation of the Impact Assessment Act i

Advocacy to design and fund a summer food program in Canada Updating Canadian regulations for flooding, wildfires and more including insurance for natural disasters Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 66, with respect to equitable funding and implementation. The renewal of the Canada Water Act legislation, including the practice of co-governance and co-creation with Indigenous Governments The prioritization of British Columbia River Basins for investments through the Freshwater Action Plan The need for the Federal government to invest $1Billion in the Freshwater Action Plan Seeking strengthening of fish habitat protections and implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy and Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI). Regulatory development for the implementation of the modernized Fisheries Act, including the creation of Ecologically Significant Areas and rebuilding plans Regulation of genetically engineered organisms including regulatory guidance on novel foods and which plants are subject to Part 5 of the Seeds Regulations. Policies relating to the use of genetically engineered organisms in food and agriculture, in particular environment health and human safety, and public transparency. Increased support for expanding birthwork (e.g., midwifery, doula, and abortion) services in the Northwest Territories Discussing government decisions around the release of the Athabasca oil sands tailing ponds into the Athabasca River (Alberta, Northwest Territories and Federal governments) Discussing financial investment by the federal government through economic stimulus in watershed projects in British Columbia and beyond as opportunity for economic recovery and employment generation. Discussing engaging pension fund beneficiaries and supporting pension fund managers to be a part of the transition to a low-carbon economy to achieve the inextricably linked goals of pension wealth and planet health. Sharing research and discussing new laws and programs that various states and governments have been passing related to this area. Creating guidelines/adaptation strategies/resilience strategies for wildfires, droughts, flooding and climate-related disasters Advocating for Canada-USA international waters relationships and problem-solving, notably in BC, Alberta and the Great Lakes regions. Advocating establishment of a Canada Water Agency before 2023, and working with government to create a successful, meaningful Agency both at its headquarters in Winnipeg and other branches (Montreal, Burlington) Advocacy for a Federal government investment in the BC Watershed Security Fund. Advance robust policy and law reform to end Canada’s public finance for the fossil fuel sector, including by providing analysis on, the Export Development Act, Bill S-243 (An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts), the Guidelines for Canada’s International Support for the Clean Energy Transition, and the Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies: Government of Canada Guidelines. Advance robust policy and law reform to address human rights and environmental abuse in Canadian business activity abroad, including by providing analysis on, the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, the Customs Tariff, Bill C-262 (An Act respecting the corporate responsibility to prevent, address and remedy adverse impacts on human rights occurring in relation to business activities conducted abroad), Bill C-263 (An Act to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Responsible Business Conduct Abroad and to make consequential amendments to other Acts), and the Responsible Business Conduct Abroad strategy (2022-2027).