Speaking
Notes for the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister
of Environment Canada
on the Launch of the Canadian Urban Transit Association's
Clean Air Day Sustainable Transportation Campaign
Edmonton, Alberta
May 25, 2006 - My thanks to Michael Roschlau for
the kind introduction, and to the staff of the
Canadian Urban Transportation Association, as
well as the Edmonton Transit System for organizing
this wonderful event.
Our new government is very proud
to support the Canadian Urban Transit Association
Clean Air Day Sustainable Transportation Campaign.
This initiative shows how important sustainable
transportation, more specifically public transport,
can be in our effort to reduce air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions.
This year’s theme – “Give the
World Some Air”– says it all. Canadians can take
action locally to help improve the quality of
the air we all breathe.
The Canadian Urban Transit Association’s campaign
is also a great example of partnership between
the Government of Canada, the private sector and
non-government organizations, that successfully
addresses clean air issues.
The Canadian Urban Transit Association
should be commended for their leadership in raising
awareness and encouraging actions that improve
the health of Canadians and of our environment,
while contributing to the strength of our economy.
Our new government firmly believes
that the transportation sector plays an essential
role in assuring air quality in Canada. Transportation
is one of the largest sources of air pollution
in Canada. In some of our urban centres, it accounts
for up to two-thirds of smog forming pollutants.
To address this, we will clean
up the air that Canadians breathe by encouraging
them to get out of their cars and onto public
transit. We will invest up to $1.3 billion in
urban transit infrastructure public transportation,
plus an estimated $1.1 billion over 5 years in
the form of a tax credit to help with the cost
of monthly transit passes. Increasing the use
of public transit will help reduce traffic congestion
in Canadian cities and fight air pollution
Increasing the use of public
transportation will also help reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. Based on CUTA information that
there were almost 1.6 billion urban transit rides
in 2004 and an average emission of 2.8 kilograms
per 10 kilometre trip, urban transit users avoid
about 4.5 Mt of greenhouse gas emissions
But that’s not all. Our government will help Canadians
make cleaner fuel choices by acting to increase
the average renewable fuel content in gasoline
and diesel fuel to 5 percent by 2010. The use
of biodiesel in public transit vehicles will yield
significant clean air benefits.
By offering these cleaner choices,
we are inviting Canadians to work with us and
to participate in made-in-Canada solutions for
a cleaner and healthier Canada.
This is what taking action for
the environment is all about. Together, governments,
industries, associations, municipalities and individuals
can address our challenges and make a difference.
And we can work together to deliver a very successful
Clean Air Day on June 7th.
Taking action means walking,
riding, or taking public transport. By commuting
in ways that are less harmful to the environment,
Canadians can “Give the World Some Air,” not only
on Clean Air Day, but everyday.
To conclude, I wish to congratulate
all of those involved in these outreach efforts.
You have successfully raised awareness about the
importance of transit and other forms of sustainable
transportation.
Again, congratulations on organizing
this great event in my riding. I look forward
to seeing the clean air messages on buses and
in bus shelters all across Canada. Enjoy the rest
of the day in Edmonton.
