Budget 2026: We can’t build a stronger country while losing the nature that makes us strong
TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2026
Press Release Disclaimer: This is a press release distributed through the XPR Media network. It has not been independently verified by our newsroom.
Budget 2026: We can’t build a stronger country while losing the nature that makes us strong
Canada NewsWire
TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2026
TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2026 /CNW/ — In response to the federal budget released today, WWF-Canada president and CEO Megan Leslie issued the following statement:
“Nature is the foundation of Canada’s economic resilience, security and prosperity. Healthy forests, freshwater and marine ecosystems are essential national infrastructure. They sustain the water and food systems we depend on, strengthen economies, and help communities withstand floods and wildfires.
“Budget 2026 does not provide the level of investment needed to restore the natural infrastructure that underpins our economy. That’s why WWF-Canada is calling for at least $1.5 billion over the next four years for nature restoration across the country.
“There is a real urgency to build faster. But we can’t build a stronger country while losing the nature that makes us strong.
“The federal government has made significant funding commitments to help protect 30 per cent of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030. Protecting the nature we still have is critical, but it’s only part of the job. We also need comparable ambition when it comes to repairing the ecosystems we’ve damaged and lost.
“Restoring forests, wetlands and other habitats means bringing ecosystems back to life, reconnecting fragmented landscapes and giving species at risk a better chance to recover.
“To meet its international commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Canada must also do its part internationally, with $300 million in predictable, long-term grants through Global Affairs Canada to protect and restore nature around the world.
“A stronger future for Canada is one where nature, wildlife and people thrive. We can build the economy and infrastructure we need while leaving nature stronger, not weaker, for the generations to come.”
Click here to read WWF-Canada’s pre-budget submission.
About World Wildlife Fund Canada
WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. For more information visit wwf.ca.
SOURCE World Wildlife Fund Canada
