OTTAWA, Ontario, March
22, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister
of the Environment, today marked World Water
Day by promising action to improve the health
and quality of Canada’s fresh water resources
through the Government’s National Water
Strategy.
“A sustainable and healthy water supply
is crucial for our ecosystems, economy and
our environment,” said Minister Baird. “Canada’s
New Government is taking action through
its proposed National Water Strategy to
protect and improve our vast water resources.”
In Budget 2007, Canada’s New Government
committed $93 million to support a comprehensive
National Water Strategy that will ensure
clean and safe water for Canadians. This
strategy sets the direction for a concrete
action plan that will improve the quality
of drinking water, clean up polluted waters,
help maintain water levels in the Great
Lakes and protect ecosystems.
“Water is a shared resource that must be
managed responsibly,” said Minister Baird.
“We will continue to work collaboratively
with the provinces, the United States and
the global community as we introduce new
measures to deliver safe and clean water
to Canadians.”
Canada’s New Government recently renewed
its commitment to extend the cooperative
work under the Canada-Ontario Agreement
Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem
(COA). This initiative will ensure continued
improvement and protection of the Great
Lakes, their waters and their ecosystem.
Other important measures include investing
in research, water pollution prevention,
and the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality
agreement.
Eric Richer / Press Secretary / Office of
the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Canada's New Government delivering on clean
air and energy efficiency projects in Nunavut
Ottawa, Ontario, March 19, 2007 -- The
Honourable John Baird, Canada's Minister
of the Environment, joined by Nunavut Premier,
the Honourable Paul Okalik, announced today
that Canada's New Government will provide
the Government of Nunavut with $5 million
from the Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and
Climate Change, which supports provincial
and territorial projects that will reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, smog and air pollution.
"Canada's New Government is investing
to protect all Canadians from the consequences
of climate change, air pollution and greenhouse
gas emissions. Today’s announcement recognizes
the important work already being done in
Nunavut to reduce the territory’s reliance
on fossil fuels for all its energy needs,"
said Minister Baird.
“The North is especially sensitive to climate
change and our traditional Inuit culture
is being challenged as a result. We are
pleased to join the federal government to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nunavummiut
are ready to take a leadership role in implementing
solutions and we will begin with a ban on
incandescent light bulbs,” said Okalik.
Nunavut’s funding under the Canada ecoTrust
will be combined with existing and new territorial
initiatives to enhance energy conservation
and efficiency and diversify the energy
system towards alternative and emerging
technologies.
The Government of Nunavut has indicated
it will use Canada ecoTrust funding to move
forward on several projects, which may include:
A program to promote the adoption of energy
efficient lighting in public and private
housing, businesses and government offices,
in tandem with a ban on incandescent light
bulbs, which will result in an annual reduction
of 1,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide or equivalent;
a homeowner incentive program that encourages
energy efficiency and conservation; and
new construction, expansion or rebuilding
residual heating systems in eight communities.
These systems recover heat from diesel electricity
generating plants that is piped to nearby
buildings.
The Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and Climate
Change is designed to allow each province
and territory to develop technology, energy
efficiency, and other projects that will
provide real results. The Government of
Canada will work with all provinces and
territories to fully develop this new, national
fund.
Canada's New Government is already taking
concrete action to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and air pollution by committing
to implement aggressive regulations to reduce
emissions in all industrial sectors and
bring in new initiatives in the energy and
transportation sectors. Nunavut’s ongoing
and new initiatives, supported by the Canada
ecoTrust, will complement those efforts.
The Canada ecoTrust will be established
using part of the anticipated 2006-07 budgetary
surplus. Resources for the Canada ecoTrust
initiative will consist of $1.5 billion
of new funding on a national basis. This
funding will be contained in the upcoming
budget and is a part of the actions being
taken on the fiscal imbalance. This new
funding will be available as soon as Parliament
approves the budget.
Eric Richer / Press Secretary / Office of
the Minister of the Environment
