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Environmentalism in One Country: Canadian Environmental Policy in an Era of Globalization
Author(s) -
Paehlke Robert
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
policy studies journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1541-0072
pISSN - 0190-292X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-0072.2000.tb02021.x
Subject(s) - environmentalism , globalization , middle power , politics , decentralization , political science , reputation , environmental policy , environmental movement , free trade , international trade , development economics , environmental protection , political economy , economics , geography , natural resource economics , foreign policy , law
In sharp contrast with its international reputation and self‐image as a leading national advocate of environmental protection initiatives, Canada has, in the 1990s, reduced its environmental expenditures and initiatives. The most dramatic and visible retreat has been in terms of expenditures, especially at the federal level and in Ontario, the largest and most industrialized province. In addition, again especially in Ontario, following the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the provincial election of 1995, environmental protection has been explicitly and openly curtailed. Possible explanations for the decline of environmental protection in Canada include: a) the effects of globalization on a trade‐oriented middle power, b) counterwaves of environmental and economic concern among the public, and c) excessive decentralization of political authority with regard to environmental protection.