Welcome to the Stop Bulldoze Nature Bill (C-39) ACTION TOOLKIT!
If you’re here, it’s because you believe in Greenpeace’s mission to protect the living world, and fight for environmental justice–starting right here in so-called Canada. And you want to play a part in that work. We are so glad you are here 
Nature is our home–it feeds us, shelters us, and waters us. Nature is a single species and the network of relationships that make up our ecosystems, but is increasingly being framed as an obstacle to economic development. Instead of protecting the nature that cares for us, the federal government is bulldozing ahead with a series of environmental rollbacks that risk turning the places we call home into corporate playgrounds.
Nature is not a Sacrifice Zone
On September 23, 2026, Carney’s federal government introduced the monumental Bill C-39 (Building Canada Strong Act), which outlines a complete evisceration of Canada’s environmental protection laws, disregard for Indigenous Peoples’ rights to their titles and lands, and threatens workers’ rights to strike. If it passes, C-39 will not “build Canada strong”. t will instead bulldoze the natural world we all depend on.
- Bill C-39 would create sacrifice zones: officially named “regions of national interest”—where certain industrial projects will be pre-approved, no matter the impacts on nature or local communities, and without Indigenous nations’ consent.
- Bill C-39 is “extraction first, nature and people last”: C-39 would allow construction activities to begin before impact assessments are complete, with potentially irreversible damage to the local environment. What’s more, by gutting the federal environmental impact assessment for major energy projects, and making the Canada Energy Regulator (historically favourable to the fossil fuel industry) the single authority for assessing pipeline, as well as imposing a one-year timeline which would rush assessments, C-39 works in the interests of extractive industries–at the expense of people and nature.
- Bill C-39 denies Indigenous Peoples’ rights to their lands: C-39 sidelines the government’s duty to seek Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Indigenous Peoples on project decisions. The legislation centres “consultation” and intention over actual consent, not meaningful participation and impact on decision-making.The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, the Chiefs of Ontario, and Nishnawbe Aski Nation categorically reject Bill C-39, because it overrides their constitutionally protected rights. The Canadian federal government will never achieve true reconciliation if it continues disregarding the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their lands.
- Bill C-39 is treating natural ecosystems as red tape: The bill gives immense discretionary power to Cabinet to bypass environmental laws to build at all cost, and dilutes the Species at Risk Act–which is a legal rampart that protects endangered animals like Southern Resident orcas, caribou or beluga against activities that could threaten their survival. C-39 also weakens protections for fish and critical fish habitat based on promises of unreliable and unproven “offsetting” measures. Nature is not red tape, it is a network of interconnected ecosystems that we all depend on.
- Bill C-39 is a threat to workers’ rights: The legislation will not only bulldoze nature, it will threaten workers’ constitutionally-protected right to strike, giving the federal government’s unprecedented power to end strikes and lockout (through a “special mediator” and report process).
- Lastly, Bill C-39 is a denial of democracy: Over 400 submissions (including from Greenpeace) and 26,000 emails were sent over the summer to the federal government on the “Getting Major Projects Built Discussion Paper”– the initial blueprint for C-39. Despite extensive opposition, including from Indigenous groups that “pre-approval [of projects] would undermine efforts to advance reconciliation and would likely lead to litigation”, and environmental groups who warned of the long-term environmental damage of C-39, the bill was not fundamentally changed, and making a mockery of the democratic consultation process.
Carney’s Bill C-39 are the new tools of the same system that destroy nature, disconnect communities from their environment and concentrate the harm of industrial projects on the people who already shoulder the burden of pollution and resource extraction.
This also means that decisions about living ecosystems– from rivers, forests, grasslands, to populated areas – would be legally subordinated to a logic of speed and profit, not care and protection. With C-39, the federal government wants to build at all costs, no matter the impacts on nature or communities–and that is a real danger that we must fight against.
Destroying nature is not in the “public interest”. Not only are we in the middle of a biodiversity crisis—with over 2000 species across Canada at some level of risk of extinction—but the overwhelming majority of people across Canada also view nature as central to their national identity and believe that nature protections should be increased.
Nature is not separate from us. Nature is our home, and provides everything we need as a society with “free” ecosystem services. Nature lowers the cost of living, mitigates climate change, and boosts overall happiness by improving mental and physical health. Nature also boosts Canadian tourism, and nature protection is a key growth factor in the employment sector. Protecting nature, strengthening environmental regulations and species protections are not anti-development, it is the ultimate bottom line, a foundation for stability, healthy communities and a livable future.
WE MUST REJECT BILL C-39, AND BUILD A STRONG SOCIETY THAT CARES FOR AND PROTECT NATURE.
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
There are many ways you can take action to oppose C-39, and urge your elected representatives to reject the bill in Parliament.
1. SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR MP
We have launched an email campaign to pressure MPs to listen to their constituents: oppose C-39 and protect nature. With just a couple of clicks, you can send your MP an email.
2. SHARE THE CAMPAIGN PUBLICLY
- If you already sent an email to your MP, send this page to your friends, family and loved ones and encourage them to do the same!
- Post on social media, and tag your federal MP to ask them to reject Bill C-39.
3. CALL OR VISIT YOUR MP
We know it can be intimidating to talk to your elected representative directly–but remember, they are working for you! Look up the office of your federal MP in your riding by searching here, and:
- Call them to share your concerns; and even
- Ask for an appointment to tell them why you think they should reject C-39.
Some guidance for your conversation:
- Speak from the heart! Tell your MP or their staff on the phone why YOU think Bill C-39 is a threat to nature and people in Canada.
- Share your arguments. Use the list above as to why you think the bill is dangerous:
- Bill C-39 would create sacrifice zones
- Bill C-39 is “extraction first, nature and people last”
- Bill C-39 denies Indigenous Peoples’ rights to their lands
- Bill C-39 is treating natural ecosystems as red tape
- Bill C-39 is a threat to workers’ rights
- Lastly, Bill C-39 is a denial of democracy
- Be clear in your ask: Tell your MP (or their staff) you want them to reject Bill C-39, and instead push for stronger nature protection.
- Remind them who they work for: Your MP is here to represent your concerns in Parliament in Ottawa. They are accountable to YOU, their constituent, not corporate interests who will surely benefit from this Bill at YOUR expense. Don’t hesitate to remind them of that.
- If you can, end with a commitment from them that they will vote against C-39. If they are not willing to commit, tell them you will keep convincing them, and that they should listen to your concerns!
Thank you for your support! We will be adding more resources and actions to take in the coming days and weeks.
