Protecting the environment in Canada since The Paris Agreement: interests, deviance and control of industrial elites

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Damage caused by the industrial sector has been repeatedly pointed out by the scientific community as a significant threat for the environment. Several researchers even defend the idea that the negative consequences of corporate crimes against the environment exceed those of other crimes (ex. Crimes against persons, crimes against property, etc.). Thus, the ability of the penal system to prosecute and convict corporations for environment-related crimes is key for the sake of nature conservation. However, much criticism has been formulated regarding the Canadian legislator with regards to its lack of will when it comes to protecting the environment and preventing crimes against nature. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the intention of the Canadian legislator on the matter of corporate crime against the environment through parliamentary debates surrounding environment protection-related bills tabled since the Paris Agreement. Preliminary results suggest that, in cases of environmental damage, the state fails to curb deviant behaviors of the corporate sector because of their shared political and economical interests. These observations are discussed in the light of the state-corporate crime theory. This theoretical grounding suggests that not only does the Canadian legislator not prevent environmental degradation, it acts as a facilitator.

Author

• Malaïka Jacques-Bérubé, Université Laval