OTTAWA, Ont.
-- April 15, 2010 -- Today, the Government
of Canada submitted its annual report on
greenhouse gas emissions which showed a
decrease in Canada's total emissions for
2008. The annual national greenhouse gas
inventory report to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is
a summary of data on Canada's greenhouse
gas emissions at the national, provincial
and sector levels.
"This decrease
is a positive step in our action against
climate change," said Environment Minister
Jim Prentice. "While there is still
work to be done, improvements in our emissions
levels strengthen the Government's commitment
to continue tackling climate change and
reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions
by 17 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020,
a target which reflects the importance of
aligning with the United States, while maintaining
economic competitiveness and prosperity."
Canada's total greenhouse
gas emissions dropped 2.1 per cent in 2008.
In 2008, emissions were about 734 megatonnes
which represents a decrease of 16 megatonnes
from the updated 2007 total of 1000 megatonnes,
and a 6.2 megatonnes or 0.8 per cent decrease
over the last five years.
The decrease in emissions
between 2007 and 2008 is attributed to Canada's
efforts to use greater amounts of clean
energy power generation, which is part of
the Government's efforts to target greenhouse
gas production, and to the slow-down in
economic growth at the end of 2008.
The Government of Canada
is a strong supporter of renewable energy
technologies and Canada boasts one of the
cleanest electricity systems in the world
with three-quarters of our electricity supply
emitting no greenhouse gases.
Canada is on the right
track to achieve greenhouse gas emissions
reduction goal as inscribed in the Copenhagen
Accord, including significant investments
of:
•$795 million over five
years through the Clean Energy Fund which
invests in research and development for
green technologies;
•$4.2 billion through ecoENERGY Initiatives
which encourage Canadians to invest in energy
efficient products and services; and
•$1 billion over five years for the Green
Infrastructure Fund which invests in green
and sustainable infrastructure.
"In addition to our continual collaboration
with the United States through the Clean
Energy Dialogue, the Government of Canada
released draft vehicle regulations on April
1, 2010, which align with the mandatory
national standard of the United States,
beginning with the 2011 model year. We also
intend to harmonize our approaches to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty
vehicles, ships and trains. Only through
harmonization of emissions standards with
the United States can we make real, effective
inroads in the fight against climate change,"
said Minister Prentice.
Canada will also continue
to deliver on its share of international
commitments and work constructively in 2010
to implement the Copenhagen Accord and to
complete the negotiations under the UNFCCC
of a comprehensive, legally binding post-2012
agreement.
To find out more about
the Government of Canada's Action on Climate
Change, please visit: http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/.
To view the complete
national greenhouse gas inventory for 2008
and a summary of trends, please visit: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ges-ghg.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Increased Presence of
Wildlife Enforcement Officers on Quebec's
Lower North Shore
QUÉBEC CITY,
Que. -- April 13, 2010 -- Environment Canada
intends to ensure a stronger presence of
its officers on Quebec's lower North Shore.
The recent addition of several officers
in the Quebec region will allow us to conduct
more extensive monitoring activities and
provide support to the two existing seasonal
officers. Through this initiative, the Department
hopes to raise awareness on the part of
the public and hunters of the importance
of conserving migratory bird populations
on the lower North Shore, while ensuring
compliance with wildlife laws and regulations.
"Further to the
Canadian government's 2007 commitment to
increasing the number of environmental enforcement
officers, the way in which wildlife officers
respond has improved considerably,"
said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister
of the Environment. "And in order to
ensure better protection of migratory birds
on the lower North Shore, Environment Canada
has recently acquired a new patrol boat
and will open a new office in Harrington
Harbour in 2010."
Environment Canada is
working closely with various partners to
ensure the enforcement of Canadian wildlife
laws that protect Canada's plants and animals,
particularly migratory birds. Cooperation
from the public and hunters is necessary-if
not essential-to ensure the sustainability
and protection of migratory birds and to
report incidents and regulatory violations
in the area. It is worth noting that the
lower North Shore area has some of the world's
largest nesting areas for seabirds.
With the increased presence
of enforcement officers on the lower North
Shore, Environment Canada intends to ensure
better enforcement of the wildlife legislation
for which it is responsible. To that end,
wildlife enforcement officers (federal game
wardens) will carry out patrols, inspections
and investigations, and take the appropriate
legal action in the event of offences.
Environment Canada enforces,
among other legislation, the Migratory Birds
Convention Act, 1994 and its Regulations
in order to ensure the conservation of migratory
bird populations. The regulations also govern
the issue of permits, hunting seasons, permitted
species, daily bag limits per region, and
methods and equipment used, as well as the
hours during which hunting is permitted.
For further information
on regulations applicable to migratory bird
hunting or to report an incident, please
contact Environment Canada's Inquiry Centre
by telephone, at 1-800-668-6767, or by e-mail,
at enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Earth Day At the Biosphère:
It's All About the Earth!
MONTRÉAL, Que.
-- April 13, 2010 -- As part of Earth Day,
experts from Natural Resources Canada will
be at the Biosphère on April 24 and
25 to reveal all of Earth sciences' secrets!
The event's unique programming will include
a GeoRally, dynamic miniature models, 3D
cartography and much more!
Earth Sciences GeoRally
(Outdoor activity)
The Biosphère invites the public
to come and explore Sainte-Hélène
Island on foot by participating in this
new rally developed by Natural Resources
Canada. Using a GPS (Global Positioning
System), participants will be able to seek
out caches scattered along a course spanning
about 2.5 kilometres. Information and clues
found in these caches will then be used
to answer questions and learn more about
themes relating to the Earth sciences.
Interactive spaces
Visitors can also meet experts and get acquainted
the subjects of groundwater, cartography,
geomatics and geology.
Admission to the museum
will be free throughout the event, which
is part of "Jour de la Terre aux musées"
(Earth Day at the museums). For more information,
please visit our Web site: www.biosphere.ec.gc.ca.
As an environmental
museum, the mandate of Environment Canada's
Biosphère is to encourage citizens
to take action and get involved in environmental
issues. In addition to presenting exhibits
and special events, the Biosphère
develops educational and awareness-raising
products for a diverse clientele across
Canada and is a recognized clearinghouse
for environmental information.
Media relations
Environment Canada
