OTTAWA, June 5, 2007 –
The Honorable John Baird, Minister of the
Environment, announced today the appointment
of Francine Dorion and Richard Prokopanko
to the National Round Table on the Environment
and the Economy (NRTEE). Their appointments
are effective immediately.
“The knowledge and expertise of each of
these new members will contribute greatly
to the work of the National Round Table
on the Environment and the Economy,” said
Minister Baird. “Our Government’s balanced
approach builds on the same foundation of
NRTEE of encouraging innovation to protect
the environment, while ensuring that our
economy continues to grow and prosper.”
NRTEE is dedicated to exploring new opportunities
to integrate environmental conservation
and economic development in order to sustain
Canada’s prosperity and secure its future.
Its mandate has recently been enhanced to
provide advice to Canada’s New Government
on Turning the Corner: An Action Plan to
Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution.
NRTEE was created in October 1988 by then
PrimeMinisterBrianMulroney and its independent
role and mandate were enshrined in the National
Round Table on the Environment and Economy
Act. Its members are drawn from distinguished
leaders in business and labour, universities,
environmental organizations, Aboriginal
communities and municipalities.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
+ More
Minister Baird and Minister Clement Statement
- Clean Air Day
Clean Air Day is our opportunity to learn
more about how we can individually take
action to reduce air pollution and reduce
our personal carbon footprint. It is an
opportunity to think about our future and
to imagine the environment we want to leave
to the next generation. Canadians care passionately
about the environment, air quality and climate
change. These are priorities of Canadians
and our government.
While we have all made progress on these
issues, much more work needs to be done.
Canada’s New Government is committed to
environmental actions that can help keep
our country healthy and prosperous.
For the first time Canada has a comprehensive
and integrated regulatory approach to reduce
both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
that cause climate change. Both types of
pollutants are generally emitted by the
same sources and their impacts on the environment
interact. This affects the health of Canadians,
which is why we are taking action on both.
Canada’s New Government's environmental
agenda also includes the Chemicals Management
Plan, ecoENERGY Initiatives, the ecoTransport
Strategy, the ecoAUTO Program, support for
public transit, action on renewable fuels,
and new investments of $4.5 billion in Budget
2007. Our comprehensive agenda totals $9
billion.
Our plan will have real, tangible health
and environmental benefits for Canadians:
cleaner communities and natural spaces,
healthier children, more sustainable natural
resources, and, meaningful contributions
to the global effort to control greenhouse
gas emissions.
As we mark Clean Air Day, let’s not forget
the important role we all play: as consumers,
as parents, as employers and employees,
and as responsible citizens.
About 28% of Canada's total greenhouse
gas emissions come from the actions of individual
Canadians. Every time we turn on a light,
hop in the car, start up a computer, or
do anything that uses energy, we are responsible
for producing greenhouse gases.
For this reason, we encourage every Canadian
to participate in this year’s Clean Air
Day on Wednesday June 6. On Clean Air Day
make a point of increasing your commitment
to the environment: at home, on the road,
and at work. Even simple adjustments to
your lifestyle can often save energy, reduce
your environmental impact, improve your
health, and save money too.
A greener, healthier Canada is important
for our families, our communities and for
future Canadians. As we move forward on
clean air and climate change, use Clean
Air Day to renew your commitments or to
try something new. Every bit counts – today
and everyday.
The Honourable John Baird,
Minister of the Environment
+ More
Minister Baird Highlights Importance of
Global Action on World Environment Day
OTTAWA, June 5, 2007 – The Honourable John
Baird, Minister of the Environment, issued
a statement today to mark World Environment
Day. This year World Environment Day coincides
with theG-8 meeting in Heiligendamm, Germany,
where Minister Baird is accompanying Prime
Minister Stephen Harper in discussions on
the global fight against climate change.
“World Environment Day is an opportunity
to earnestly consider the global environment
and what global action is necessary to address
the world’s number one environmental challenge
– climate change.”
“I am strongly encouraged by the tremendous
commitment of our global leaders here to
real change. I am proud to demonstrate our
commitment by bringing to the table our
government’s Turning the Corner Action Plan.
We are offering the Canadian approach to
developing countries as a model they can
follow in joining the international effort
needed to bring about lasting and beneficial
environmental results.”
“Our Action Plan sets short, medium and
long-term climate change objectives. We
will cut greenhouse gases by 20% by 2020,
with real reductions starting as early as
2010. It is a plan that is challenging,
yet achievable. It is also a plan that achieves
real absolute reductions in greenhouse gases
and positions Canada as a leader in the
fight against climate change.”
“Members of the G-8 are aware that only
concrete actions taken on the part of all
emitting countries will lead to a solution
to the crucial issue of climate change.”
World Environment Day was designated by
the United Nations in 1972 to stimulate
political action on the environment and
empower people from every corner of the
globe to become active agents of sustainable
and equitable development.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Environment Canada Presents Awards of Merit
to 39 Prairie Volunteer Climate Observers
ALBERTA/SASKATCHEWAN/MANITOBA, June 4,
2007– Environment Canada will present awards
and certificates to 39 people on the Prairies
during Environment Week, from June 3-9,
2007, in appreciation of their services
over the years as volunteer climate observers.
This year, 13 volunteer climate observers
from Alberta, 10 volunteers from Manitoba,
and 16 volunteers from Saskatchewan are
receiving certificates and awards for their
commitment, ranging from five to 50 years
of service.
Climate volunteers have been taking daily
readings of Canada’s ever changing climate
since 1840. Their job consists of recording
the maximum, minimum and current temperatures,
as well as the amount of precipitation of
both rain and snow. Some also record the
amount of sunshine, speed of the wind and
the temperature of the soil. When combined
with other data, the reports compiled by
individual climate observers create a record
of Canada’s climate and are sometimes used
in studies and statistical reports regarding
regional climate. The information they gather
also contributes to Environment Canada’s
ongoing study of the weather and climate
fluctuations that affect both our economic
activities and everyday lives. These volunteers
make a valuable contribution toward a greater
understanding of the climate and its effect
on the environment.
Each year, certificates and awards are
presented to individuals and families who
have reached milestones of long-time continuous
service as volunteer climate observers.
Brian Howe
Atmospheric Monitoring Section
+ More
Canadian Environment Week is the Perfect
Time for Global Discussions on Climate Change
at the G-8 Summitt in Heiligendamm Germany
OTTAWA, June 3– The Honourable John Baird,
Minister of the Environment, kicked off
this year’s Environment Week (June 3-8)
by congratulating Canadians on their actions
towards protecting and preserving the environment
and encouraging them to stay involved. This
year, Environment Week coincides with the
G-8 meeting in Heiligendamm, Germany where
Minister Baird will accompany Prime Minister
Harper as he meets with other G-8 leaders
to discuss the global fight against climate
change.
“What better way to recognize Environment
Week than to be on the global stage demonstrating
to the world how seriously Canada takes
the climate change challenge,” said Minister
Baird. “After years of waiting, Canada finally
has a concrete plan in place to significantly
reduce greenhouse gases and the Prime Minister
and I are eager to take our plan to the
Summit meeting.”
With the G-8 leaders, as well as the five
major developing economies from around the
world at one table, Canada will be playing
an active role with other nations to lay
the groundwork for the kind of effective
international protocol the world needs post-2012.
Environment Week is a great opportunity
to reflect on how the environment affects
us all. It is clear that Canada cannot work
in isolation if we’re going to make real
change. As this week unfolds and Canadians
participate in various activities, I encourage
them to consider their personal impact as
part of a larger global community. I urge
all Canadians to continue to protect our
precious resources and natural wonders.”
Canadian Environment Week is held during
the first week of June to coincide with
World Environment Day. This special day
was designated by the United Nations in
1972 to empower people from every corner
of the globe to become active agents of
sustainable and equitable development.
For more information on activities taking
place in your community this week, visit
the Community Calendar available on Environment
Canada’s website www.ec.gc.ca.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Environment Canada Predicts Another Warm
Summer
Ottawa, June 1, 2007 – Environment Canada
today released the summer seasonal outlook
for the months of June, July and August.
The summer outlook predicts that much of
Canada will be warmer than normal.
Highlights from the Seasonal Temperature
and Precipitation Outlook for June, July
and August 2007:
• At this time, ocean influences from EL
NINO or LA NINA are weak meaning lower confidence
in the summer outlook for both temperature
and precipitation.
• Temperatures are expected to be above
average over most of Canada except for coastal
regions of Atlantic Canada and British Columbia
where the temperatures should be below normal.
• Near normal temperatures are expected
over Nunavut and parts of southern Ontario.
• Precipitation is expected to be normal
to below normal over much of Canada.
The Seasonal Outlook at times can be beneficial
to many users as it offers greater advance
notice of possible conditions. Firefighters
may consider seasonal forecasts to position
staff in areas susceptible to forest fires;
merchants to stock up on items such as snowblowers,
shovels and generators; farmers to determine
the best time to plant their seeds; and
commodities markets to trade futures in
weather-dependent industries.
As the accuracy of long-range forecasts
varies from region to region and from season
to season, we suggest that you consult the
skill maps that accompany the latest information
on Environment Canada's seasonal outlooks.
Because weather can vary from one year
to the next due to natural variability,
it is difficult to attribute these changes
to a specific cause.
For more details on the seasonal outlook
please visit : http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/canada_e.html
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
