This bill requires the Canadian government to create a national plan to improve soil health. The goal is to protect soil, conserve its resources, and make it more sustainable. The plan will involve experts from different government departments, including environment, health, natural resources, and Indigenous affairs. It will include ways to share knowledge, educate people, and develop policies. The government will also appoint a special official called a National Advocate for Soil Health to lead these efforts. The plan must be shared with Parliament and updated every three years. The government aims to keep soil healthy for food, fiber, and fuel, and to fight climate change by managing soil better.
This bill encourages the government to focus on soil health, which is important for growing food and fighting climate change. It means there will be a national plan to protect soil across Canada. Governments at the federal, provincial, and local levels will work together. The plan may help farmers use better farming practices that are good for the environment. It also suggests efforts to educate Canadians about why healthy soil matters. These changes could eventually help you see more locally grown food and cleaner environments, but no specific costs or programs for individuals are directly included yet.
The bill requires developing and implementing a national strategy with input from many government departments and organizations. The fiscal note estimates the cost of creating and managing this strategy is approximately $5 million over the first few years. Additional expenses include hiring or appointing a National Advocate for Soil Health and funding education and data collection efforts. These costs will be spread over several years and are part of the government’s planned budget for soil and environmental programs. Data on exact ongoing costs beyond initial development is unavailable.
Supporters say this bill is necessary to protect Canada’s valuable farmland and natural resources. They argue it will help reduce soil degradation caused by farming practices, urban development, and climate change. The plan could improve food security by making soils more productive and sustainable. Establishing a National Advocate for Soil Health and setting clear targets will keep the government accountable. Advocates also believe that promoting better soil management will help fight climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing emissions. They see this as an essential step toward a healthier environment and a resilient agricultural sector.
Critics argue that the bill’s measures may not be enough to address the scale of soil and environmental issues. They point out that developing a strategy is only the first step and older practices or policies may still cause damage. Some worry that the costs might be high and that government efforts may not lead to significant changes without strong enforcement or funding. Opponents also mention that the bill does not specify how progress will be measured or how quickly improvements might occur. They believe that without clear financial support and specific action plans, the bill could be more about planning than real change.