Montreal, May 22, 2007
– The Honourable John Baird, Minister of
the Environment, joined by the Honourable
Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works
and Government Services, today announced
that the Government of Canada will contribute
$4.5 million to the Habitat Stewardship
Program to protect species at risk and the
habitat where they live. The Ministers made
their announcement in the company of the
Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment
and Parks, Line Beauchamp, the Mayor of
Montreal Gérald Tremblay and international
dignitaries who were at the Montreal Botanical
Garden to celebrate the International Day
for Biological Diversity.
“The Habitat Stewardship Program is an
important conservation program that this
government is investing in to protect Canada’s
biodiversity,” said Minister Baird. “The
$4.5 million and over 100 projects that
are receiving funding today reinforce our
Government’s commitment to protecting species
at risk. These represent only part of our
annual investment in the Habitat Stewardship
Program and I expect to announce more in
coming months.”
The Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) is
intended to help Canadians protect species
at risk and their habitats. The overall
goal of the program is to contribute to
the recovery of endangered, threatened and
other species at risk while also preventing
species from becoming a conservation concern.
For the first seven years of operation,
the HSP contribution of $61.8M helped protect
over 618,000 hectares of species at risk
habitat through both long term and temporary
measures, improve another 211,000 hectares
of habitat, and connect with over 200 partner
organizations.
The Government’s support for conservation
efforts was seen earlier this year through
an investment of $225 million to help the
Nature Conservancy of Canada and other non-profit,
non-government organizations like Ducks
Unlimited Canada and members of the Canadian
Land Trust Alliance, purchase ecologically
sensitive lands to protect biodiversity.
“Canada ’s New Government is committed
to the long-term conservation of the rich
variety of plants and animals that are part
of Canada’s natural habitat,” said Minister
Baird. “Our Government recognizes that biological
diversity is vital to the protection of
Canada’s ecosystems, which provides Canadians
with a vibrant, healthy environment.”
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
