ENV250Y5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2a: Path Dependence
Document Summary
Canada"s renewed dependence on natural resource industries, particularly for exports, has already led to the weakening of key environmental laws. Canadian constitution"s failure to mention environmental rights and responsibilities (cid:498)path dependence,(cid:499) referring to the way in which past decisions limit future exacerbate these political problems. Another factor is the surprising ecological illiteracy of many canadians and the cultural perception of canada as a vast and unpolluted land. Altering the status quo is never easy, and is particularly difficult in the face of powerful entrenched interests. After several decades of environmental budget cuts and watering down of enviroenmtnal laws, it may be challenging to envision a new and more progressive direction for canadian environmental law.
