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This briefing paper proposes a systematic, science-informed methodology to assess the adequacy of Canadian public policy in addressing threats to freshwater resources and aquatic biodiversity. It introduces a hierarchical threat classification system and a framework for identifying gaps between existing management instruments and scientific research needs to inform a pan-Canadian approach to freshwater management.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in December 2016, argues that Canada must move beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to measure 'comprehensive wealth' to ensure long-term sustainable development. Analyzing data from 1980 to 2013, the study finds that while Canada remains wealthy, its comprehensive wealth growth is slow and heavily reliant on the depletion of natural capital and a highly concentrated produced capital sector.

This briefing by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) outlines the regulatory landscape of cosmetic pesticide bans in Canada, comparing provincial and municipal approaches. It evaluates the effectiveness of 'white lists' versus 'black lists', examines the impact of specific bans through various studies, and provides a set of best practices for implementing effective prohibitions to protect human health and the environment.

This report by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) analyzes provincial policies and municipal bylaws regarding the cosmetic use of pesticides in Canada. It evaluates the structure, implementation, and efficacy of these regulations, identifying best practices for protecting public health and the environment while critiquing weaknesses such as broad exceptions for golf courses and the lack of indoor pesticide regulation.

A submission from a collaborative of 15 health organizations urging the Government of Canada to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2025 to mitigate climate change and improve public health.

A letter from a consortium of health groups to the Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change urging the federal government to phase out coal-fired power plants across Canada within ten years to improve public health and meet Paris Agreement commitments.

A statement from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) to the City of Calgary advocating for the regulation of cosmetic pesticides on both City-owned and private lands, citing significant health risks and the effectiveness of existing provincial and municipal bans in Canada.

The 2016 CAPE Scorecard evaluates provincial bans on cosmetic pesticides across Canada, rating Ontario as providing the highest level of protection and several provinces as providing no protection.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes Environment Canada's 2014 report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trends. It highlights a significant gap between Canada's projected 2020 emissions and its Copenhagen Accord pledge, noting that while some sectors show mitigation, growth in the oil sands and general economic expansion continue to drive emissions upward.

This consultation background paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in December 2014, outlines the context for developing a new provincial climate change and green economy plan for Manitoba. It specifically focuses on the role of peatlands in emissions reduction, climate resilience, and economic development, while reviewing Manitoba's previous emissions performance and comparing climate policies across other jurisdictions.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development compares the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts of electricity sector regulations in Canada and the United States, specifically focusing on coal-fired power plants. It analyzes how these policies contribute to each country's Copenhagen Accord pledge to reduce 2020 emissions to 17 per cent below 2005 levels.

This background paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in August 2014, provides a framework for consultations regarding Manitoba's transportation and infrastructure sectors as part of the 'TomorrowNow—Manitoba’s Green Plan'. It outlines the province's current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile, the vulnerabilities of its infrastructure to climate change, and examples of climate policies from other jurisdictions to inform a new provincial climate change and green economy action plan.

This 2014 briefing paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) serves as a background document for consultations regarding Manitoba's new climate change and green economy action plan. It specifically focuses on the agriculture and water sectors, detailing their contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, their vulnerability to climate change, and potential strategies for mitigation and adaptation.

This synthesis report describes the 2013 application of the Adaptive Design and Policy Assessment Tool (ADAPTool), an Excel-based tool developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to evaluate how existing policies and programs align with adaptive characteristics in response to external stressors.

This report describes a pilot application of the Adaptive Design and Policy Assessment Tool (ADAPTool) conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Nova Scotia Environment to evaluate the adaptability of three environmental management programs in Nova Scotia.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development reviews Canadian greenhouse gas (GHG) policy in 2013, noting a significant decline in federal political will and a corresponding shift toward provincial leadership and inter-provincial cooperation.

Scott Vaughan's 2013 remarks to the Canadian-American Business Council discuss the convergence of climate regulatory approaches between Canada and the U.S., the economic implications of various oil and gas emission targets in Canada, and the challenges Canada faces in meeting its 2020 emissions reduction target.

This report by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and partners examines the health and economic costs of coal-fired electricity generation in Alberta. It details the pollutants emitted by coal plants, their specific impacts on vulnerable populations, and uses multiple modeling approaches to estimate the resulting premature deaths, illnesses, and societal costs. The report argues that the true cost of coal power is not reflected in market prices, effectively subsidizing coal at the expense of public health.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) compares the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation strategies of Canada and Australia as of November 2012. It contrasts Australia's unified national carbon pricing approach with Canada's decentralized, sector-by-sector regulatory framework, analyzing the political risks, subnational dynamics, and estimated regulatory costs associated with each model.

This report analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks in Canada as they relate to Indigenous Peoples' Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs). It examines the tension between Canadian state law—characterized by a history of colonialism and assimilation—and the inherent rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to govern their traditional lands and resources.