Petition: Biodiversity
Protect what makes BC beautiful: Pass biodiversity legislation now
Stand with the BC Greens as we call on government to pass stand-alone biodiversity protection laws and fully implement the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.
British Columbia is home to greater biodiversity and more species-at-risk than anywhere else in Canada. Our forests, rivers, oceans, and valleys are rich with life. But that life is vanishing. Habitat loss, climate change, and decades of extractive policies have pushed countless species to the brink.
We’re one of the only provinces without a stand-alone law to protect endangered species. Despite promises, the BC NDP still hasn’t acted, so the ecosystems we depend on are disappearing.
It’s time the BC government stepped up to protect what truly makes this place Beautiful British Columbia — before it’s too late.
Join us by signing our petition, calling on the BC government to pass stand-alone biodiversity protection laws and fully implement the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.
Petition Text
To the Honourable the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, in Legislature Assembled:
The petition of the undersigned, [Name], of [City or Town], states that:
Whereas
- British Columbia is home to the greatest biodiversity in Canada, including the highest number of species at risk;
- The province is one of the few in Canada without a stand-alone law to protect endangered species;
- Habitat loss, climate change, and decades of resource-driven policies have led to the widespread decline of ecosystems and the species that depend on them;
- Healthy ecosystems are essential for food security, clean water, wildfire resilience, cultural integrity, and economic sustainability;
- In 2017, the Government of British Columbia promised to introduce endangered species legislation but failed to act;
- In 2023, the government introduced the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework, but by 2025, it had been dropped from the Ministry’s budget and mandate;
- This lack of legislative action and funding represents not only policy neglect but a profound failure to protect the ecological heritage of future generations;
Therefore, your petitioners respectfully request that the Honourable House:
- Introduce and pass stand-alone biodiversity and species-at-risk legislation during the current legislative term;
- Fully implement the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework;
- Base ecosystem protection on science and Indigenous knowledge;
- Centre nature in all government decision-making rather than short-term economic extraction.
Dated this [Day] day of [Month], 20[Year].
BC is known around the world for its incredible natural beauty, but we’re failing to protect it.
We have more biodiversity than any other province in Canada and more species at risk. Yet BC is one of the few provinces without a stand-alone law to protect endangered species. While the government talks a big game, its actions tell another story.
In 2017, the BC NDP promised to introduce endangered species legislation. They backed away.
In 2023, the BC NDP released a draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework to better steward land and water. But in 2025, that framework was quietly dropped from the Ministry’s budget and mandate letters.
This isn’t just neglect — it’s a betrayal of future generations.
We depend on healthy ecosystems for food, clean water, wildfire resilience, cultural connection, and yes — even economic security. Letting our biodiversity vanish puts all of that at risk.
We’re calling on the BC government to:
- Pass stand-alone biodiversity and species-at-risk legislation this term
- Fully implement the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework
- Protect ecosystems based on science and Indigenous knowledge
- Put nature at the centre of decision-making, not short-term extraction
On Earth Day 2025, the Canadian theme was “Open your eyes to protect biodiversity.” It’s time the BC NDP opened theirs.
We can have both a healthy economy and a thriving environment if we protect what makes this province so extraordinary.
Add your name to this petition and demand that the BC government act now to safeguard biodiversity before it’s gone.