Environmental policy should be at the heart of Canada’s federal election debate

Federal election campaigns are well underway, and the biggest ballot box issues are affordability and U.S. tariffs.

Rising interest rates, unaffordable housing and grocery bills that seem to climb every week have voters understandably focused on the cost of living. Add the uncertainty that trade tensions have stirred up, and you’ve got the makings of a classic economic election.

But while these issues deserve attention, we can’t afford to ignore some of the biggest challenges facing our country — the dual climate and biodiversity crises. Our responses to these issues shape everything, whether it’s health care, housing, food or fuel.

So why aren’t we giving environmental policy the attention it deserves?

More than an environmental issue

If we let the environment fall off the political radar, we risk making decisions that will worsen climate impacts, harm our health and cost us more.

This isn’t about putting the environment ahead of current issues. It’s about recognizing that they are all linked.

Think about your family’s health. Bad air quality from pollution and wildfires triggers asthma, allergies and heart problems, putting extra pressure on our hospitals and making wait times longer.

Consider housing. Many New Brunswickers know the worry of flooding, which damages homes, raises insurance costs and squeezes budgets even tighter.

In 2024 alone, weather-related insurance claims in Canada hit a staggering $8.5 billion. That’s nearly three times the previous year.

That’s money coming out of our pockets, one disaster at a time.

Hand in hand

The environment matters to people. Nearly three-quarters of Canadians are now worried about how climate change affects their properties and wallets.

The concern is even higher in Atlantic Canada, with almost 80 per cent of people expressing worries about climate impacts.

Yet, environmental issues are barely getting mentioned in this election.

The truth is that solving the climate and biodiversity crises goes hand in hand with fixing affordability and economic independence in Canada.

When we invest in clean energy, we create local jobs that don’t depend on boom-and-bust cycles. When we retrofit homes, we help families save money on heating and cooling.

When we protect nature, we protect local industries — like fishing, farming and tourism — and preserve the spaces that make New Brunswickers and all Canadians who they are.

The rising cost

Meanwhile, each time we rebuild after a storm, deal with crop losses or repair flood damage, we foot the bill.

Ignoring climate change won’t make it cheaper. It drives the bill up every year.

There is a better way. Every dollar we spend preparing for climate impacts saves six dollars in damages down the road. It just makes sense.

Our way of life depends on a healthy environment. We need clear answers and commitments from our political candidates.

Voters need to ask tough questions. Political parties need bold plans. Without them, we risk our health, our homes and our future.

Beverly Gingras is the executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. This commentary is a joint submission by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Nature NB, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-New Brunswick Chapter and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.