E/C.12/CAN/CO/6 that the State party ensure that physicians’ conscientious objection does not impede women’s access to legal abortion services. The Committee also recommends that affordable contraceptives be made accessible and available to all, and in particular those living in remote areas and those living in poverty. The Committee refers to its general comment No. 22 (2016) on the right to sexual and reproductive health. Climate change and environmental protection 53. The Committee is concerned that climate change is negatively affecting the enjoyment of Covenant rights by indigenous peoples. The Committee is also concerned that regulations governing environmental protection have been weakened in recent years, notably by the enactment of the Budget Bill C-38 (2012) and in the context of extractive industries (art. 12). 54. The Committee recommends that the State party address the impact of climate change on indigenous peoples more effectively while fully engaging indigenous peoples in related policy and programme design and implementation. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that the use of non-conventional fossil energies is preceded by consultation with affected communities and impact assessment processes. It also recommends that the State party pursue alternative and renewable energy production. The Committee recommends that the State party further strengthen its legislation and regulations, in accordance with its international human rights obligations, and ensure that environmental impact assessments are regularly carried out in the context of extractive industry activities. Right to education 55. The Committee is concerned by the continuous lower educational and academic achievements of indigenous and African-Canadian children. The Committee is particularly concerned by the latter’s high dropout rates at all school levels. The Committee is also concerned about reported barriers for children whose parents have no legal status in accessing schooling (arts. 13). 56. The Committee recommends that the State party reinforce its efforts to address the long-standing issues faced by indigenous and African-Canadian children in accessing and completing primary and secondary school. In doing so, the Committee recommends that the State party develop interventions, in consultation with the affected communities, aimed at combating school dropout, including by putting an end to the unnecessary measures of expelling and suspending pupils. The Committee further recommends the State party ensure access to free compulsory schooling for all children without discrimination. Post-secondary education 57. The Committee is concerned at the increasing tuition fees in post-secondary education, combined with decreasing governmental funding, which disproportionately impacts students and families with low income and indigenous peoples (art. 13). 58. The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to increase the budget allocated to publicly funded post-secondary education system, with a view to facilitating access to higher education to everyone regardless of their socioeconomic or ethnic background. Cultural rights 59. The Committee is concerned that many indigenous languages are endangered, despite some measures taken. It is also concerned about the inadequate funding for and 10