HALIFAX, N.S. -- December
15, 2010 -- Canada's Environment Minister,
John Baird, today announced the Nature Conservancy
of Canada's successful acquisition of Goose
Point Island-55 hectares (135 acres) of
land near Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia.
This project was
secured in part with funding from Environment
Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program
and has an overall budget of $87,762.
"This acquisition
marks another achievement under our government's
Natural Areas Conservation Program. With
this investment, we are taking real action
to protect and conserve our ecosystems and
sensitive species for present and future
generations," said Minister Baird.
"Your actions, large and small, will
help to protect the abundance and variety
of life that is part of our natural heritage."
"The protection
of Goose Point Island represents a significant
achievement for conservation in Nova Scotia,"
said Linda Stephenson, Nature Conservancy
of Canada's Atlantic regional vice-president.
"Without the considerable support from
partners, this would have not been possible.
This incredible island in Musquodoboit harbour,
close to Halifax, will serve as refuge for
the plants and animals that call the area
home. The Nature Conservancy of Canada is
incredibly proud to have protected five
islands in the Musquodoboit Harbour for
all time."
Goose Point Island is
the last of the large coastal islands to
be secured for conservation within Musquodoboit
Harbour and is a key ecological component
of the Harbour's large estuary. The island
contains a coastal softwood forest with
patches of heath and open barrens, and is
large enough to support a number of terrestrial
mammals, including white-tailed deer, mink
and otter. Located in the upper reaches
of the estuary, Goose Point Island can only
be accessed by boat at very high tide and,
as a result, remains relatively pristine.
Its irregular shoreline is dotted with salt
marshes and ponds, providing important feeding
and staging habitat for migratory waterfowl
and shorebirds. Bald eagles, osprey, and
great blue heron can also be seen soaring
overhead or nesting amongst the trees.
The Government of Canada's
$225-million 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.
It is through the willingness and support
of landowners that we can ensure the protection
of natural areas in Canada. As of July 2010,
under the Natural Areas Conservation Program
over 138,800 hectares (342,982 acres) have
been secured, protecting habitat for over
79 species at risk.
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Government of Canada
Highlights Commitment to Renewable Fuels
OTTAWA, Ont. -- December
15, 2010 -- On behalf of Canada's Environment
Minister, the Honourable John Baird, the
Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture
and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian
Wheat Board, highlighted today the Government
of Canada's commitment to renewable fuels.
Federal regulations requiring 5 per cent
renewable fuel content in gasoline came
into effect today, December 15, 2010.
"This initiative
is one of Canada's contributions to the
fight against climate change," said
Minister Ritz. "We are proud to be
moving forward with the Renewable Fuels
Regulations as they will benefit Canada's
economy, our farmers and our environment."
These Regulations are
one pillar of the Government's broader Renewable
Fuels Strategy. The Strategy will establish
a demand for renewable fuels that will help
stimulate Canadian biofuels production,
create jobs and new market opportunities
for farmers, and help create jobs in rural
communities, while accelerating the commercialization
of new biofuel technologies.
"This federal 5
per cent requirement is estimated to result
in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
of one megatonne per year over and above
the reductions attributable to existing
provincial requirements-the equivalent of
taking a quarter million vehicles off the
road," said Minister Baird.
"Biofuels can help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air
pollutants while sustaining economic growth
and development," said the Honourable
Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources.
"In the midst of a global economic
slowdown, our Government is working to accelerate
key investments in Canada in order to create
jobs and help stimulate our economy."
These Regulations are
a key initiative in support of the Government
of Canada's commitment to reduce Canada's
total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per
cent from 2005 levels by 2020. In addition,
the Government of Canada has finalized vehicle
tailpipe emissions regulations under the
Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999,
that are aligned with those of the United
States, and is working to do the same for
heavy-duty vehicles.
