JACKSON'S POINT, Ontario,
October 12, 2007 -The Honourable John Baird,
Minister of the Environment, and the Honourable
Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government
in the House of Commons and Minister for
Democratic Reformannounced today that the
Government of Canada is investing $12 million
to support the clean up of Lake Simcoe.
"Our Government believes that clean,
safe and secure water is something all Canadians
should have the right to enjoy," said
Minister Baird. "Today's announcementwill
clean up Lake Simcoe, improve water quality,
and ultimately protect our precious ecosystems."
This investment to clean up Lake Simcoe
is part of Canada's $93 million National
Water Strategy, a comprehensive initiative
to improve water quality and to protect
our precious lakes, rivers and oceans. By
investing $12 million over the next two
years to support the clean up of Lake Simcoe
the Government is taking real action to
stem the effects of excessive algae and
weed growth that reduce oxygen supply and
harm fish and wildlife.
"After years of hard work, action
is being taken by Canada's New Government
to protect and clean up Lake Simcoe's environment.
This is important, not just to the thousands
of visitors Lake Simcoe welcomes each year,
but also to the communities that live on
its shores," added Minister Van Loan,
who is also the local MP for York-Simcoe.
"Lake Simcoe provides clean and safe
drinking water for tens of thousands of
families around the lake."
Lake Simcoe is one of Ontario's major recreational
areas, located north of Toronto. The lake
is known for its recreational fishery and
picturesque landscapes and generates approximately
$200 million annually through tourism and
recreation. The region also supports agricultural
activities and has recently undergone increased
urban development.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
New Appointments to the National Round
Table on the Environment and the Economy
OTTAWA, October 12, 2007- The Honourable
John Baird, Minister of the Environment,
announced today the appointment of Robert
A. Dubé, Robert Sopuck, and Donald
F. MacKinnon to the National Round Table
on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).
These appointments are effective immediately.
"Today's appointments will ensure
that the national roundtable continues to
provide advice on the environment to the
Government," said Minister Baird. "All
three of the appointees are highly qualified,
and their advice will be invaluable as we
continue to move forward and take real environmental
action to create healthier, cleaner communities
for all Canadians."
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
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney 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
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Canada's New Government to Protect Scott
Islands off British Columbia's Coast
VANCOUVER, October 9, 2007 - Today, Mark
Warawa, the Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister of the Environment, announced on
behalf of the Minister, the Honourable John
Baird, an investment of one million dollars
to protect seabird populations on the Scott
Islands off British Columbia.
The Scott Island's funding is another significant
part of the Government's $61.5 million to
improve the health of Canada's oceans as
part of Canada's National Water Strategy.
"Through this one million dollars
in new funding, we will work to ensure that
the seabird populations that use the Scott
Islands are protected," said Mr. Warawa.
"This is just another example of how
our Government's is working hard to ensure
that that British Columbia's natural heritage
and marine resources are preserved and protected
on behalf of all Canadians."
Under the Health of the Oceans Initiative
of the National Water Strategy, Environment
Canada will work with the Government of
British Columbia to protect important foraging
areas for seabird populations on the Scott
Islands, north of Vancouver Island.
The Government of Canada is funding projects
that will improve the health of Canada's
three oceans and protect their long-term
sustainability. Under the National Water
Strategy, Canada will work with its provincial,
territorial Aboriginal and international
partners to co-operatively manage its marine
environment
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
