What We Do

RCEN acts as the connecting link between large and small environmental groups, governmental agencies, and individuals across Canada.

As a national organization, The Canadian Environmental Network operates across Turtle Island and the many diverse lands and territories of Indigenous peoples covering what is now known as Canada. 

We understand that the places where we work, and those of our members and affiliate networks, are home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, both past, present and future. We acknowledge our journey to learn from, support, and enact to action our continued commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

Mission

At RCEN, we strive to support more than 400 Canadian environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) with coordination, communication, and networking services. Since 1977, we have worked to support ENGO participation with Government of Canada departments and agencies, such as Environment & Climate Change Canada, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Natural Resources Canada, and Health Canada.

Values

We are a non-partisan, non-profit organization that does not take positions on environmental issues. We instead encourage and support other groups and individuals to participate in public consultations, working groups, and delegate selections on a variety of environmental issues.

Objectives

  • Support and strengthen the participation of ENGOs in their consultations with the Government of Canada.

  • Provide a transparent, bilingual, and democratic delegate selection process to provide opportunities for ENGO representatives to participate in conferences, workshops, and consultations.

  • Highlight the efforts of our members and of our six affiliate provincial networks to a wider audience.

  • Create and coordinate national caucuses to amplify the voices of ENGOs and disproportionately impacted populations in important policy discussions.

  • Share best practices and resources to enhance our members' work of protecting, restoring, and promoting a healthy and sustainable environment.

Federal government departments and other environmental organizations seeking a multi-stakeholder approach to national and international consultation or policy development are invited to contact us.

Join Our Network

Become a member of the Canadian Environmental Network or renew your membership.