Darlene Upton

Preparation for the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan. Upholding federal commitments to Porcupine Caribou Herd/Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Implementation Strategy for the New Nature Program Co-operation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment between Alberta and Canada Inventaire annuel des émissions de gaz à effet de serre / Annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory Canada Alberta MOU, potential amendments or exemptions to the oil tanker ban on BC's Coast Bill C-5 implementation-Building Canada Act Legislation. Advocating for the inclusion of nature considerations along with climate change impacts in the implementation of the act. Advocating for Ministers to consider the impacts on wildlife and their habitat as one of the conditions for approval. Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans Agenda. Engaging in discuss regarding Marine Protected Areas, Oceans Act implementation, as well as the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Species at Risk Act; in regards to habitat of endangered species, in particular: caribou, grizzly bear, polar bear, blue whales, sponge glass reefs and coral National Parks - in relation to the creation of National Parks and the ecological integrity of existing parks Federal Budget; in relation to protected areas and conservation of terrestrial and marine areas Oceans Act Implementation - in relation to the creation of National Protected Areas and the integrity of protected areas Northern Land Use Planning; in relation to creating protected areas and in government's role with stakeholders National Wildlife Areas - in regards to the creation and integrity of wildlife areas National Marine Conservation Areas; in relation to the development of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the ecological integrity of existing MPAs Climate Change Policy;in relation to wilderness conservation and carbon sequestration

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change-Kyoto protocol The Government of Canada is required to: prepare a Climate Change Plan; prepare a statement on GHG emissions; and ensure that Canada meets its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol The mission of the Green Budget Coalition is to present an analysis of the most pressing issues regarding environmental sustainability in Canada and to make a consolidated annual set of recommendations to the federal government regarding strategic fiscal and budgetary opportunities. Species at Risk Act The purposes of this Act are to prevent wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a result of human activity and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. Secured funding from Canadian International Development Agency Partnership Branch Funding for projects in the Americas Oceans Act WHEREAS Canada holds that conservation, based on an ecosystem approach, is of fundamental importance to maintaining biological diversity and productivity in the marine environment National Parks Act and Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act Maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity, through the protection of natural resources and natural processes, shall be the first priority of the Minister when considering all aspects of the management of parks and marine conservation areas. Migratory Bird Convention Act This Act and its complementary Regulations ensure the conservation of migratory bird populations by regulating potentially harmful human activities. Metal Mining Effluent Regulation Seeking regulatory change to strengthen processes by which the owner or operator of a mine can obtain the Government's approval to deposit a deleterious substance into a natural water body or a tailings impoundment area that is added to Schedule 2 of the Regulations. Great Lakes Fisheries Convention Act An Act to implement a Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between Canada and the United States Federal Marine Protected Areas sestablished under the Oceans Act to ensure the conservation and protection of species at risk and their habitats, the conservation and protection of unique habitats, and the conservation and protection of marine areas of high biodiversity or high biological productivity. Convention on Biodiversity To promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources Canadian Wildlife Act and Complimentary Regulations. The Act allows for the creation, management and protection of wildlife areas for wildlife research activities, or for conservation or interpretation of wildlife, seeking regulatory and legislative change to strengthen the prohibitions in the Act. Canadian Environmental Protection Act. CEPA regulates toxins and 'animate products of biotechnology'. We are seeking to ensure the Act adequately protects biodiversity from toxins and other harmful products. Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to ensure that projects are considered in a careful and precautionary manner before federal authorities take action in connection with them, in order to ensure that such projects do not cause significant adverse environmental effects

National parks - in relation to Mountain Parks Management plans, integrity of wildlife areas and connectivity between Federal Budget in relation to wildlife crossing structures. new protected areas and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) Creating a pathway and supporting Indigenous leadership in conservation to increase protected and connected areas in relation to advancing Canada's commitment to protect 30% of its lands and waters by 2030. Connecting the landscape to restore movement and address climate change by advancing work that ensures more wildlife crossing structures are built both within Canada and in key transboundary locations between Canada and the U.S. Climate Change Policy in relation to the importance of intact nature as a solution to climate change Biodiversity Loss - in relation to Canada's commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework and creation and implementation of its National Biodiversity Action Plan

Seeking funding from various departments, including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada, for initiatives related to conservation, stewardship and research. Advocating for policies that increase investment in privately protected areas and nature based solutions, and maximize biodiversity outcomes. Advice, input and feedback to government officials regarding regulations relating to the conservation of Canada’s natural spaces, eco-systems and species. This includes, for example, regulations made under the Species at Risk Act, Canada Water Act and Canada Wildlife Act.

Enhancement of ecological gift program - increase in tax incentives for land donors, including cash donors towards conservation of land. Attendance in meetings with Green Budget Coalition- recommendations for budget associated with Nature asks but particularly the NHCP and Canada Investment Conservation Fund. Endorse ACLT as the national representative of regional and local land trusts within the CNPF- Land Trust Conservation Fund (LTCF) to enhance the program through delivery of the outcomes related to expanding protected areas, restoring degraded landscapes, protecting species at risk, adapting to climate change, improving land management, and mobilizing private resources. 1. Renew, Expand, and Enhance Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Fund (NHCP); Support the renamed NHCP “Delivering the Canadian Nature Protection Fund (CNPF)” at 250M for 5 years with 1:1 match from private sector. 2. Create a Canada Conservation Investment Fund Establish a new $150 million endowment fund that will create a long-term funding stream to strengthen the capacity of local and regional land trusts to care for natural spaces in perpetuity. By creating an endowment fund, the Canada Conservation Investment Fund will help ensure the long-term care of Canada’s network of privately conserved areas.

Support the renewal of federal freshwater programs and modernize legislation. Invest in habitat inventories, geospatial data, and research, and public engagement to support evidence-based conservation decisions. Modernize habitat offsetting policies to improve ecological outcomes and transparency. Modernize and expand federal funding for habitat restoration, habitat management infrastructure renewal, and conservation project reconstruction. Support indigenous-led land conservation, stewardship initiatives, and indigenous leadership in conservation. Advocate for integration and alignment of international biodiversity and climate commitments with domestic policy, planning and funding frameworks. Advocate for the inclusion, use, and advancement of wetlands and uplands as nature-based solutions and natural infrastructure in land use planning, funding, and research. Advance policies and programs that recognize the value of natural assets and ecosystems by promoting ecosystem service valuation, effective environmental data frameworks, and incentive-based conservation approaches. Advance policies and programs that incentivize the adoption of agri-environmental best management practices and programs.

Exploring innovative conservation and stewardship financing initiatives. • Encouraging the creation of policies that would support boreal conservation and forest-related climate change action across the country. Encouraging the creation of policies that would support Indigenous leadership in conservation efforts, such as Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Encouraging the creation of policies that would support Indigenous Guardians and create jobs and economic development in Indigenous communities.

Implementation of the Government of Canada's A Force of Nature Strategy, including Expert Taskforce on Natural Capital Accounting and Nature Financing Supporting the advancement of sustainable fisheries and oceans strategy, marine protected areas, and mitigation opportunities under the Fisheries Act review Targeted fiscal policies to unlock private capital and de-risk investment in nature, particularly land-based productive sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and Indigenous-led land management. Inclusion of funding for conservation and sustainable agriculture programs in Budget 2025 Sustainable agriculture policies and programs that support producers with the uptake of Beneficial Management Practices. Policies and programs that support Indigenous-led stewardship and education, as well as land use management policies that conserve environmentally sensitive landscapes and marine areas while promoting economic prosperity and sustainable development in those communities. Policies and programs related to Canada's Net-Zero goals and its commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Convention on Biological Diversity. Grants and program funding for Indigenous-led environmental stewardship, education and land-use planning, including funding and programs administered through Environment and Climate Change Canada. Specifically funding for projects in Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Manitoba. Future Biodiversity target accountability act related to commitments under UN Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.