Urban Sprawl and the Ecosystem

2023-01 Urban Sprawl and the Ecosystem

Whereas:

1. Urban centers continue to expand, particularly in distant suburbs;
2. Urban sprawl depletes resources, creates inefficient infrastructure, and destroys nature;
3. Urban sprawl relies on transportation that consumes fossil fuels, diminishes agricultural land, and damages natural habitats, including waterways;
4. Biodiversity loss from urban sprawl is an environmental and social issue impacting both human and ecological health.

Resolved:

1. That the National Council of Women of Canada adopt a policy ensuring that all development by cities and municipalities is conducted in collaboration with local Indigenous governments and prioritizes sustainability, preserving the integrity of resources, infrastructure, and the environment.
2. That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to promote sustainable development, in collaboration with local Indigenous governments, through:
   a) Urban infilling;
   b) Sustainable agriculture and farmland preservation;
   c) Grassland conservation;
   d) Fish passage restoration;
   e) Green spaces with connecting corridors.