Nationtalk: Ottawa: A new national poll shows that the vast majority of Canadians support Indigenous Guardians programs and view Guardians’ work as a cost-effective solution to the challenges of climate change, reconciliation, and nature conservation.

Indigenous Guardians are trained experts who care for lands and waters on behalf of their First Nations. They test water quality, manage protected areas, restore species at risk, monitor development projects, and support language and culture programs. There are more than 160 First Nations Guardians programs now operating across Canada.

A clear majority of Canadians support this work. The national poll, conducted by Abacus Data for the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, found:

• Broad support for Indigenous Guardians: The vast majority (75%) of Canadians support the Indigenous Guardians programs after reading a description of what they do.
• Strong backing for investment in Guardians: A clear majority (73%) of Canadians support federal government funding for Guardians programs to fulfill their functions.
• Canadians value the work Guardians do: About 8 in 10 Canadians view the functions of Guardians as important, from testing water quality (84%) to managing protected areas and wildlife (84%) to advising on emergency response (81%).
• Growing consensus on cost-effectiveness: In light of the growing threats of climate change—especially in northern forests—there is a growing consensus (68%) that having Indigenous Peoples and their Nations perform land management responsibilities is the most economical way to support conservation and responsible development efforts in these regions.

“Canadians see Guardians programs as a cost-effective solution to some big challenges,” said David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data. “It’s clear that even in the current economic context, Canadians remain highly concerned about climate change and the need to conserve nature. And crucially in this affordability crisis, the public views Guardians programs as an economical and responsible way to address conservation, reconciliation, and climate change.”

“Indigenous Guardians make an enormous contribution to their communities and the country,” said Valérie Courtois, the Executive Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative. “Guardians are on the ground, generating benefits–for lands and waters, for health and wellbeing, for communities and regional economies, for the country and for all of us. It’s no wonder most Canadians value this work and support investments to sustain it.”

A summary of the survey results is available here.

Media Contact:

Jenn Wesanko: 604-347-5988