TORONTO, July 9, 2007–The
Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment
and the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister
of Health, today announced an investment
of $30 million to establish the world’s
first National Air Quality Health Index
and to expand the Air Quality Forecast Program
to support this new initiative.
The announcement of the national program
was made in Toronto where, along with Toronto
Public Health, an 18 month Air Quality Health
Index pilot was launched. This pilot will
serve as the model for the national program’s
development.
“We promised Canadians we would clean up
the air we breathe and improve our health,”
said Minister Baird. “Our investment in
this personal health protection tool will
provide Canadians with current and forecasted
local air quality information that they
can use to take actions to reduce risks
posed by air pollution.”
Canada’s Air Quality Health Index, found
at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca, is the world’s
first index to communicate the health risks
associated with the mixture of air pollutants
we breathe and to provide protective health
advice to reduce that risk.
”Canadians are concerned about air pollution
and rightly so - air pollution has been
linked to illness and death and particularly
impacts our children, our elderly and people
with heart and lung disease,” said Minister
Clement. “This Air Quality Health Index
- the first of its kind in the world - will
help Canadians protect their health from
the adverse effects of air pollution every
day.”
This initiative is in keeping with the
government’s commitment to deliver real
change and results to Canadians. It also
highlights the government’s interest in
working in partnership with other levels
of government, including provincial, territorial
and municipal to deliver innovative programs
that make a real difference for Canadians.
With federal funding of $30 million over
the next four years, the AQHI will be rolled
out to mid- and large-sized communities
across the country. Municipal and provincial
partnerships will be key to the program’s
success.
The Toronto pilot project builds on the
successful pilots in Nova Scotia and British
Columbia. Over the coming years, Environment
Canada will improve its air quality forecasting
capacity across the country. The federal
government will also continue to work with
other governments and health and environmental
organizations in the design and operation
of the Index, recognizing that every level
of government, every organization, and every
individual has a role to play in improving
air quality.
The Air Quality Health Index is the latest
tool Canada’s New Government has introduced
to combat air pollution. In April, it launched
Turning the Corner: An Action Plan to Reduce
Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution. As part
of these regulatory measures, will be the
requirement that industry cut air pollution
by 50% by 2015.
For more information about the Federal
Government of Canada’s environmental initiatives,
please visit: http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca
For more information on the AQHI Toronto
Pilot, please visit: http://www.CAS-AQHI.gc.ca
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Hunters Fined $15,000 for Hunting Offences
Hanna, Alberta – July 3, 2007 – Five American
hunters were fined $3000 each in Hanna Provincial
Court on Wednesday June 27 for exceeding
daily bag limits for White Fronted Geese,
in violation of the Migratory Birds Regulations.
Hunters Todd Aaron Dailey, William McCall,
John Geshay, Freniel Castillo, and Jason
Rhode are also collectively required to
submit an article to a waterfowl publication
about the offence and the sentence imposed
by the Court.
In March 2007, the five hunters had pleaded
guilty to one count each of exceeding the
daily bag limit of White Fronted Geese,
contrary to Section 7 of the Migratory Bird
Regulations. A sixth hunter in the party
is charged with exceeding the daily and
possession limits of White Fronted Geese,
and trial is set for December 19, 2007 in
Hanna Provincial Court.
Following a joint investigation by Alberta
Fish and Wildlife and Environment Canada
wildlife officers, the six hunters were
found to be in possession of 47 White Fronted
Geese, far in excess of the daily limit
of three each for non-residents of Canada.
Collectively, they were over the daily bag
limit by 24 geese, and in excess of their
total possession limit by 11 geese.
Conservation concerns had prompted Environment
Canada to reduce the daily bag limits for
White Fronted Geese from five to three this
year for non-residents of Canada.
Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act,
1994, the $15,000 fine imposed by the Court
will be allocated to the Environmental Damages
Fund. The Fund, administered by Environment
Canada, provides courts with a way to ensure
that financial penalties are directed to
address environmental damages.
The maximum penalty on summary conviction
for each offence under the Migratory Birds
Convention Act, 1994 is a fine of $300,000,
or six months imprisonment, or both.
Garry Bogdan
Wildlife Enforcement Division
Environment Canada
+ More
New Appointments to the National Round
Table on the Environment and the Economy
OTTAWA, July 3, 2007– The Honourable John
Baird, Minister of the Environment, announced
today the appointment of Wishart Robson
to the National Round Table on the Environment
and the Economy (NRTEE). His appointment
is effective immediately.
“Mr. Robson’s knowledge and expertise 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
Office of the Minister of the Environment
