Tara L Shannon

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.

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.

Nature Conservation/Nature Strategy The lobbying focuses on priorities for nature conservation programs and practices in relation to private lands. This includes programs related to the land trusts, conservancies and similar organizations, and to land stewardship organizations, for example, those focused on agriculture and woodlots. Nature Conservation/Nature Strategy The Centre for Land Conservation seeks funding and occasionally is approached by federal officials to submit a 'request for proposal' in matters related to nature conservation. Funding supports activities associated with standards and practices for land conservation organizations, including conservation excellence certification. Funding also supports conservation policy research related to the land conservation sector specifically, and conservation policy matters more generally, particularly in relation to private lands.

The Centre for Land Conservation engages with the Privy Council Office on matters related to the federal government's nature and biodiversity agenda, including the implementation of A Force for Nature and Canada's commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Engagement focuses on the role of private land conservation in achieving national conservation targets, the policy and program conditions required to support a strong and effective land conservation sector, and opportunities to align federal priorities across departments with the needs of conservation organizations and land stewards. Natural resource use analysis and planning The Centre for Land Conservation engages with Natural Resources Canada on the development of policies and frameworks related to the Building Canada Act and other federal priorities that intersect with land conservation and natural systems. Engagement focuses on the development of natural capital accounting frameworks that recognize the value of conserved lands and ecosystems, regional impact assessment processes that incorporate private land conservation outcomes, and biodiversity offsetting policies and standards that support and engage the land conservation sector. Nature Conservation/Nature Strategy The Centre for Land Conservation seeks funding and occasionally is approached by federal officials to submit a 'request for proposal' in matters related to nature conservation. Funding supports activities associated with standards and practices for land conservation organizations, including conservation excellence certification. Funding also supports conservation policy research related to the land conservation sector specifically, and conservation policy matters more generally, particularly in relation to private lands. Agri-environmental programs The Centre for Land Conservation engages with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on agri-environmental policies and programs that support agricultural producers and stewards of agricultural lands. The Centre seeks funding in matters related to stewardship and conservation on private and working lands. CLC is undertaking policy research related to agri-environmental stewardship, including programs and incentives that benefit farming and ranching communities engaged in sustainable and regenerative land management including nature conservation.

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

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

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.

Ongoing advocacy, policy and management recommendations for recovery and protection of southern resident killer whales. Regarding development of programs for, and implementation of, Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy. The federal budget, in respect of the Green Budget Coalition's recommendations for prioritized government actions that would promote environmental sustainability Operationalization and Implementation of the MPA Protection Standard to restrict discharges in federally designated protected and conserved areas. Amendment of the Arctic Waters Pollution Act and the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 to better regulate ship source pollution including greywater, black carbon, scrubbers, and sewage. Advocated for an integrated approach to managing and mitigating underwater noise nationally through the release and implementation of Canada’s Ocean Noise Strategy.

Support science and research to inform the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. Support for a national migratory bird science and conservation interpretation centre. Policies and programs that support the implementation of the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Species at Risk Act. Invest in Latin American and the Caribbean to support programs that conserve habitat for migratory birds. Advocate for the use and advancement of conservation technologies for wildlife surveying and tracking including the data platforms and standards that support integration with policies and programs. Advocate for the reduction of threats to migratory birds particularly stemming the loss of native grasslands, addressing the drivers of insect declines, curbing coastal and marine threats to birds and their habitat, and safeguarding birds of cultural significance. Advance policies and programs to modernize and enhance the monitoring and assessment of migratory birds. Advance policies, programs, and regulations that protect and restore important habitat for migratory birds.

continued investment through public funding programs and/or contribution agreements by the Government of Canada in activities relating to Indigenous-led conservation, reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and reconcilation between Canadians and the land. continued investment through public funding programs and/or contribution agreements by the Government of Canada in activities relating to nature-based tourism and/or community-led tourism continued investment through public funding programs and/or contribution agreements by the Government of Canada in activities relating to sustainable development, community economic development, and the Sustainable Development Goals continued investment through public funding programs and/or contribution agreements by the Government of Canada in activities relating to climate action, climate adaptation, and nature-based solutions. continued investment through public funding programs and/or contribution agreements by the Government of Canada in activities relating to biodiversity conservation, the Global Biodiversity Framework Targets /the Canada 2030 Nature Strategy

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