Environmental Defence Canada is a 5-star rated charity with best practice in financial transparency and above average accountability to donors as seen in the A- results reporting grade. For every dollar donated to this charity, 86 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Environmental Defence Canada (EDC) aims to protect Canada’s fresh water and land, eliminate toxins in the environment, and promote clean energy alternatives. EDC reports that it empowers individual Canadians, works with industry leaders, and advocates for new government policy to achieve these goals. The charity organizes its programs by six major issues: Kicking Out Toxic Chemicals, Climate & Clean Economy, Ontario Yours to Protect, Ending Plastic Pollution, and Safeguarding Canada’s Freshwater. In F2021, the community of 300,000 Canadian EDC supporters collectively sent letters or made phone calls to government and industry over 220,000 times to protect the environment and human health.

In F2021, EDC allocated 59% of program costs to its Climate & Clean Economy program. This program focuses on pushing Canada towards more sustainable energy options. EDC believes that climate change is Canada’s largest threat and is putting the country’s water, food, and health at risk. By building a clean economy and reducing carbon pollution, the charity believes it will lead to cleaner air, improved public health, new jobs, and more opportunities for Canadian companies. In F2021, EDC published 16 reports relating to climate change. The charity also led a national Green and Just Recovery campaign to ensure the federal government's covid-19 recovery plan prioritized a clean economy.

In F2021, EDC allocated 13% of program costs to its Safeguarding Canada’s Freshwaters program. This program focuses on fighting pollution, strengthening Great Lakes protection, and working with communities to ensure beaches and marinas are sustainably managed. EDC notes that Canada’s Great Lakes hold over 20% of the world’s surface freshwater and provide drinking water to millions of people while supporting multiple billion-dollar economies. The charity called on the provincial government to protect Lake Erie as it is plagued by a toxic algae bloom. 

In F2021, EDC allocated 9% of program costs to its Kicking Out Toxic Chemicals program. This program aims to eliminate harmful materials from consumer products, stop the use of toxic chemicals in the environment, and inform Canadians about dangerous materials present in common household products. The charity notes that products that Canadians use daily still contain toxic chemicals that are linked to health issues such as cancer, obesity, and asthma.

In F2021, EDC allocated 12% of program costs to its Ontario Yours to Protect program. This program is a new citizen based group that focuses on protecting natural areas - such as the Ontario Greenbelt - from urban sprawl and other industrial expansion projects. By directing growth to existing urban areas, the charity believes it will improve the protection of farms, nature, and water. The charity published two reports relating to this program.

In F2021, EDC allocated the remaining 7% of program costs to Ending Plastic Pollution. The charity states that plastic fragments can make their way into our food and water. This program focuses on holding government, businesses and individuals accountable for plastic pollution. The charity published four reports relating to plastic pollution.

In F2021, Environmental Defence Canada reported total donations of $4.2m. Administrative costs are 5% of revenues and fundraising costs are 9% of donations. This means overhead costs are 14%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 86 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Environmental Defence Canada's audited financial statements do not disclose fundraising costs. Program, administrative and fundraising costs come from EDC's annual T3010 filing with the CRA Charities Directorate. As this filing does not use activity based costing, costs are from line items.

EDC holds funding reserves of $2.4m which can cover one year and two months of program costs.

Environmental Defence Canada uses external fundraisers as part of its fundraising activities. In F2021, EDC reported paying $207k to external fundraisers who raised $145k. This means EDC paid $1.42 for every dollar raised by external fundraisers.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Environmental Defence Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 5, 2022 by Angelina Curwin.