HALIFAX,
NS -- August 13, 2008 -- Canada's Environment
Minister, John Baird, today joined Gerald
Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore
- St. Margaret, representatives from the
Nature Conservancy of Canada, and residents
of Nova Scotia's South Shore in announcing
the successful conservation of important
lands in Deep Cove, Nova Scotia. This is
an achievement under the federal Government's
Natural Areas Conservation Program.
"Today's announcement
demonstrates our Government's commitment
and aggressive action in to protecting Canada's
natural treasures," said Minister Baird.
"Prime Minister Harper and our Government
believe so strongly in protecting these
precious lands that we have committed $225
million to support the work of the Nature
Conservancy of Canada."
The lands, located near
Chester, Nova Scotia, total more than 3.6
square kilometres, and encompass a wide
range of habitat types, including mature
coastal forest and wetlands. Wetlands help
maintain water quality and provide habitat
for amphibians and a variety of migratory
birds such as thegreen-winged teal, black
duck and common loon . It is also home to
one of the largest stands of natural Jack
Pine in Nova Scotia, as well as a number
of plant species uncommon to the province,
such as Mountain Sandwort.
"Through the Natural
Areas Conservation Program, our Government
is playing a lead role in conserving and
protecting our environment for the benefit
of Nova Scotians and all Canadians,"
said Mr. Keddy. "Areas like this land
in Deep Cove provide irreplaceable habitat
for important species such as Barred and
Great Horned Owls."
The Natural Areas Conservation
Program is an important on-the-ground initiative
that takes real action to preserve Canada's
environment and conserve its precious natural
heritage for present and future generations.
As of July 2008, over 71 properties totaling
more than 640 square kilometers had been
acquired coast to coast, resulting in the
protection of habitat for over 59 species
at risk.
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Baird Announces Another
Step in Turning The Corner Plan to Cut Canada's
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Ottawa, ON -- August
9, 2008 -- Canada's Environment Minister,
John Baird, today launched another important
regulatory phase as part of the Government's
aggressive Turning the Corner Action Plan
to reduce greenhouse gases. Minister Baird
released the first of three guides that
will lead to creation this fall of Canada's
Offset System for Greenhouse Gases.
"Part of our Government's
approach to cutting greenhouse gases is
to find new and innovative ways to rise
to this important challenge," said
Minister Baird. "Canada's Offset System
is a key component of our Turning the Corner
Action Plan to help reduce Canada's emissions
an absolute 20% by 2020."
The Offset System is
a component of Canada's Turning the Corner
Plan, which also includes carbon trading,
credit for early action, and a technology
fund. It provides businesses with the option
of using credits to meet mandatory greenhouse
gas emission reduction targets.
The guide being released
today - Canada's Offset System for Greenhouse
Gases: Guide for Protocol Developers - provides
detailed information on how to prepare and
complete an Offset System Quantification
Protocol. A protocol describes the approach
to identify and measure greenhouse gas reductions
from eligible projects under Canada's Offset
System.
"Some people have,
over the course of the summer, been talking
a good game when it comes to cutting greenhouse
gases," said Minister Baird. "While
others talk, our Government is taking real
action to put the regulations in place to
make the Turning the Corner plan a reality."
The Government's Turning
the Corner Action Plan requires big industry
to take action to cut their greenhouse gas
emissions. In addition, the plan has tough,
tougher and toughest measures for new oil
sands projects, requiring them to implement
carbon capture and storage technology. It
also will essentially ban the construction
of dirty coal-fired power plants.
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
