Quebec Makes Healthy Environment a Basic Right

Summary#

• This bill would change Quebec’s human rights charter to make a healthy environment a basic right for everyone.
• It says every person has the right to live in an environment that is healthy and respectful of biodiversity (the variety of plants and animals).
• It removes the current limit that says this right only applies “as provided by law,” making it stronger and more direct.
• It adds a statement to the charter’s introduction about the need to protect human health, safety, and the integrity of ecosystems.
• It would take effect when it becomes law.

Key changes:

• Makes the right to a healthy environment a fundamental right, on par with other core rights.
• Deletes the older, weaker version of the environmental right that was limited by other laws.
• Signals that protecting ecosystems is important to human well‑being.

What it means for you#

• Residents and families
  • You could use this right to challenge serious pollution or harm to nature that affects your health, home, or community.
  • It may be easier to ask for action on air quality, water safety, noise, or toxic exposures.
• Communities near industry or heavy traffic
  • More leverage to push for cleaner practices, stronger controls, or changes to projects that could harm health or biodiversity.
• Workers
  • Workplaces that create pollution may face stricter rules or oversight, which could change equipment, processes, or training.
• Businesses and developers
  • Need to plan projects with this right in mind, including stronger environmental safeguards.
  • Higher risk of complaints or lawsuits over pollution, habitat loss, or other harms to health or biodiversity.
  • Permits and approvals may face closer review and possible new conditions.
• Local and provincial governments
  • Must consider this right when writing bylaws, issuing permits, and making land‑use or infrastructure decisions.
  • May need to adjust policies to prevent environmental harm before it happens, not just respond after.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Puts clean air, clean water, and healthy ecosystems at the core of people’s rights, not as an optional add‑on.
• Removes a loophole that let other laws limit the environmental right, making it clearer and easier to enforce.
• Gives courts and regulators a clear signal to prevent harm to health and biodiversity.
• Empowers people and communities to hold polluters and governments accountable.
• Aligns the charter with modern understanding that human well‑being depends on healthy ecosystems.

Opponents' View#

• The right is broad and could be vague, leading to more lawsuits and uncertainty about what is allowed.
• May slow down housing, infrastructure, and industrial projects due to challenges and stricter reviews.
• Could raise costs for businesses and cities to meet higher environmental standards or defend legal actions.
• Moves complex policy choices from elected bodies to the courts.
• Might conflict with existing permits or laws, creating confusion until the courts set clearer rules.