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MPs on Criminalizing Environmental Destruction – November 1, 2022
MPs Elizabeth May (Green Party), Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) and Jenica Atwin (Liberal) hold a news conference to discuss making ecocide, which is the mass damage and destruction of the environment, an international crime. They are joined on Parliament Hill by Amalie Wilkinson (co-lead of Youth for Ecocide Law) and Darryl Robinson (professor of law at Queen’s University). A growing global movement is calling to make ecocide the fifth crime within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
PRESS RELEASE
November 1, 2022
For Immediate Release
Ending Ecocide: A Non-Partisan Dialogue to Protect Our Future
OTTAWA — Today the first-ever non-partisan discussion on the criminalization of ecocide – mass damage and destruction of ecosystems – took place in the Sir John A. Macdonald building on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.The press conference marked the first time that MPs from Liberal Party, New Democratic Party and Green party gathered to openly discuss making the devastation of the natural environment an international crime as an amendment to the Rome Statute, the governing document of the International Criminal Court.
“Young people are growing up acutely aware of the immense challenge our planet faces. They are aware that the lives of every living thing are at stake if we fail to act.” said Jennica Atwin, Liberal Member of Parliament. “We need to continue working together, across party lines, to support an amendment to the Rome Statute and advocate its adoption internationally in the knowledge that many countries must stand together for the long-term protection of all life on earth.”
Ecocide law has been making headlines internationally, but this event marks the inaugural national press conference for Canada.The event was co-sponsored by Stop Ecocide Canada, Youth for Ecocide Law and Canadian Partners for International Justice. The conversation was hosted by 19-year-old Amelie Wilkinson, Youth Ambassador for Stop Ecocide Canada.
Elizabeth May, Green Party Member of Parliament, said “Globally, Green MPs have played a key role in advancing the need to recognize the crime of Ecocide. I am indebted to these amazing Canadian young people for raising public awareness in Canada.”
Alexandre Boulerice, New Democratic Party Member of Parliament, stated “People are increasingly experiencing the catastrophic impacts of the climate crisis. These impacts are endangering the health and well-being of our ecosystem, communities and even causing loss of life. Everyone has a right to live in a safe, clean and healthy environment. Recognizing that right means holding government, corporations, and individuals accountable for their actions denying that right.”
Stop Ecocide Canada is the national branch of the international campaign to add ecocide to the Rome Statute that would make it the fifth atrocity crime alongside, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression.
For more information contact:
Dona Grace-Campbell
National Director Stop Ecocide Canada