What does the recent Federal Budget mean for conservation?

The short answer is I don’t know. The longer answer is best described by that infamous political tactician, Donald Rumsfeld: ‘There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don’t know’.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to embrace the unknown in your life, this budget is definitely for you. If you’re like me and certainty puts a smile on your face then we’re in for a few weeks (or months) of frowning.
Known Knowns:
Climate Change was mentioned just twice and only in passing. Once, buried in a case study about competiveness of the forest sector, and once in reference to national parks helping mitigate its effects. I think we know that Climate Change isn’t a priority for this government, that’s plain for everyone to see. The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) which among other initiatives was a strong advocate for putting a price on carbon was completely eliminated, more evidence of the lack of importance of this issue for this administration.
Species at risk continues to be an important issue for the government. $50 million over two years is exactly what was asked for by a number of groups and this budget delivered it: ‘The Species at Risk Act is one of the Government’s main conservation tools to protect wildlife species, maintain healthy ecosystems and preserve Canada’s natural heritage….’

Two northern resident Killer whales (Orcinus orca) surfacing in the waters off the central cost of British Columbia, Canada.  © Natalie Bowes / WWF-Canada

Known Unknowns:
–Environment Canada’s overall budget was cut by 8.3% (20 million this year rising to 80 million in 2014/15), Parks Canada gets a $6 million cut this year, rising to $29 million in 2014/15 and Fisheries and Oceans by 5.8%, 4 million rising to 79 in 2014/15. We know the number but we don’t have any idea where the cuts will be made or what this means to the establishment of national parks, marine planning, networks of marine and terrestrial protected areas, meeting Canada’s international commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity, climate adaptation, Cod recovery, reducing ocean noise or increasing the supply of sustainable seafood.
–We know there will be a budget implementation bill but we don’t know when or what will be in it. If last week’s budget is the What then the budget bill is the How. It’s supposed to outline in detail all the legislative changes proposed by the government. A majority government can quickly pass a bill like this with limited debate or committee study.
–Charities will be under more scrutiny based on measures in the budget but it’s unknown to what extent the legislation will be changed. The government is going to spend $8 million on increased monitoring over two years and could propose changes to the Income Tax Act. We know that environmental charities have been targeted recently by Senators and branded more broadly as radicals by the government. What’s unknown is how far that targeting will go and what type of chilling effect the uncertainty could have on charities doing their work.

A Kermode bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) preparing to enter the water of a river in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada © Natalie Bowes / WWF-Canada

 
Unknown Unknowns:
Regulatory changes to environmental assessments are the biggest and most far reaching unknown in this budget. With statements like: “The Government will propose legislation to modernize the federal regulatory system that will establish clear timelines, reduce duplication and regulatory burdens, and focus resources on large projects where the potential environmental impacts are the greatest”, the government is signaling an opening up of a Pandora’s box of changes that could have no-going-back consequences. Assessing impacts to the environment prior to development isn’t something that can be or should be done superficially with limited public input. Oil spills, damage to essential fish habitat and toxins in the food chain can take a lifetime or more to recover. Getting it right from the start is the obvious and efficient way to save money and realize the benefits of sustainable growth.
At this point it’s hard to get a handle on exactly how conservation is affected by the Federal Budget, but one thing’s for sure, the unknowns are pointing to something far greater than a broken New Year’s resolution.