pol 203 Flashcards
what are the responsibilities of the federal government
sea coast and inland fisheries, trade, navigation and shipping, treaties and reserve land, international treaties, foreign relations, migratory birds, some marine life
what are the responsibilities of the provinical government
section 92: natural and forestry resources, electrical management and sale of public land, timber and wood, all matters that are local or private in the province
what are the responsibilities of the municipal government
transportation, energy and water use, climate strategies for buildings, city maintenance, infrastructure, parks, and businesses
what is the environmental policy framework
sections 91-95 of the BNA Act, federal and provincial division of powers
What does section 91 (24) of BNA act outline
gives the federal government the ability to govern Indigenous land
what is federalism
when powers are split between federal and provincial
shared provincial and federal jurisdiction over environmental issues
water: fishing, shipping, navigation, rivers and lakes in provinces, oceans, drinking and waster waster
land: terrestrial protected areas, wildlife and species at risk, waste management, nuclear activities
air: industrial emissions, toxic substance, international air pollution, ghg and climate change
is environmental protection included in the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms
Why is public policy required for environmental protection?
because it is made on the publics behalf and meant to benefit the public good
what are causes of environmental degradation?
climate change, air and water pollution, mining, logging, and biodiversity loss
what is a throwaway society
when a society produces more than the population needs
what are the 5 stages of the public policy process?
- agenda setting
- policy formulation
- policy legitimization
- policy implementation
- policy evaluation
what is the most effective way to alter public or company behaviour?
economic tools
environmental policy-making in territories vs provinces?
land and natural resources ownership: provinces own the land they control, but the land on territories is owned by the federal government
colonial impact on Canada’s environment
settlers cleared land for farming and communities, brought agricultural goods,
what are the four eras of indigenous peoples and environmentalism
first era: contact and treaties
second era: parliamentary laws
third era: supreme court cases and Inuit land claims. present day
fourth era: reconciliation. present day
interpretations of treaties canadian government vs indigenous peoples
Canadian government viewed treaties as Indigenous peoples giving up their land, Indigenous peoples viewed it as a friendship and sharing the land
major legislation concerning indigenous peoples in canada
- royal proclamation of 1763
- bna act
- indian act
- charter of rights and freedoms
- supreme court cases
2 examples of high profile Indigenous activism
idle no more, pipeline across wet’suwet’en territory in BC
what are some foundational environmental groups in Canada?
Greenpeace, David Suzuki foundation
constraints of the canadian federal system concerning environmental policy. how does it compare to the US?
Canadian government has a hard time passing legislation because of regional differences. US federal government has more control over the individual states
how can indigenous worldviews complement sustainable development goals?
sustainable development is connected to human needs, something that Indigenous worldviews value and western worldviews don’t
impacts of environmental racism
lower quality of life for marginalized communities because of the disproportionate proximity of pollution and mining, factories, etc.
What is Bill C-226
to prevent and address environmental racism and advance environmental justice
what does artificial extinction mean
extinction caused by man
5 main causes of artificial extinction
- habitat loss
- climate change
- pollution
- unsustainable harvest
- invasive species
main pieces of legislation concern federal conservation of wildlife today?
- 1911 North Pacific Fur Seal
- 1916 Migratory Birds
- 1927 Provincial Parks Act
Which federal ministries or government departments are responsible for implementing SARA?
Minister of fisheries and oceans (aquatic species), minister of heritage (species in national parks), minister of environment (all other species and the overall administration of SARA)
what is a wicked problem?
a problem that has conflicting goals and different groups at different levels of government
how does the judicial branch have an impact on environmental policy?
- constitutional litigation
- judicial review on government administrative action
- ruling on civil action for environmental harm cases and class action lawsuits
what is the myth of abundance?
that water is renewable and will never run out
main problems with water management in Canada
Lack of data, poor water monitoring, Canada has no national water management standards
How is groundwater withdrawal monitored and measured?
It is not. We also do not understand how groundwater withdrawal is going to affect our water supply
Treaty interpretation: water rights
federal government: provinces own water and it is a separate private identity
indigenous: water is apart of the land and decisions about the water must be made with consideration to the environment
Bill C-45
allow extraction of water without Indigenous consultation
What are the Chemical Valley and Alberta Tar Sands?
places with major chemical pollution
risk assessment vs risk management
Risk assessment: an estimation of the magnitude of risk posed to public health or to the environment. done by experts and scientists
Risk management: an evaluation of the costs and benefits of a risk and a decision regarding how society will manage those tradeoffs. Conducted by politicians and bureaucrats.
what is precautionary principal?
“better safe than sorry”
Canada-US Softwood Lumber Dispute
cost of lumber in the US is decided by the market, and in Canada the cost is decided by the provinces
What is “smart growth” for cities?
a response to urban sprawl. where amenities are close to home and transit. think “20 minute city”
What is the “One-For-One” rule?
every time the federal government implements a new rule for businesses to follow, they have to take one away.
What are the effects of reduced regulation?
economic development and stimulation
Federal/provincial division of power concerning energy politics
provinces: electrical supply and land use
federal: environmental protection, international trade and agreements
