Environmental violations: a case of indigenous and minority communities
Abstract
In this paper, we examine environmental injustice using distributional justice theory. Using Environment and Climate Change Canada Enforcement Branch data, we show that the most vulnerable communities experience a greater number of environmental violations. We show that Census Sub-divisions (CSDs) with a higher percentage of Indigenous population, as well as CSDs with a higher percentage of visible minority populations, experience more violations of environmental regulations. Also, we find that median after-tax income does not moderate the impact of environmental violations. Our results support the predictions of the distributional justice theory as well as the urban political ecology theory.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Climate Change
Adaptation
Migration
Mining and Resource Management
Environmental and Social Impact Assessments
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 69
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 3649–3680
- Publication date
- 19 January 2026
- Language
- EN