WINNIPEG, Man. -- May
20, 2010 -- Canada's Environment Minister,
the Honourable Jim Prentice, today announced
the Nature Conservancy
of Canada's successful securement of three
separate properties in the Riding Mountain
Aspen Parkland region. These properties
consist of 462 hectares (1,142 acres) of
land near Manitoba's Riding Mountain National
Park. This project was secured in part with
funding from Environment Canada's Natural
Areas Conservation Program and had an overall
budget of $352,880.
"This acquisition
marks another achievement under our government's
$225-million Natural Areas Conservation
Program. During this important International
Year of Biodiversity (IYB), I am pleased
that the federal government is able to support
worthwhile projects. With this investment,
we are taking real action to protect and
conserve our ecosystems and sensitive species
for present and future generations,"
said Minister Prentice. "Your actions,
large or small, will help to protect the
abundance and variety of life that is part
of our natural heritage."
"Today's announcement
shows our Government's commitment to conserving
and protecting our environment for the benefit
of all Canadians," said Inky Mark,
Member of Parliament for Dauphin-Swan River
- Marquette. "The lands of the Aspen
Parkland region project will continue to
provide a healthy habitat where species
can thrive and survive."
These properties are
part of an ecologically significant area
that is home to important plant and animal
species at risk including the golden winged
warbler, the red-headed woodpecker, the
prairie loggerhead shrike, Sprague's pipit,
the yellow rail, the short-eared owl, the
northern leopard frog, the chestnut lamprey,
the rusty blackbird, the common nighthawk,
the chimney swift, the olive-sided flycatcher
and the monarch butterfly.
"The rolling, forested
hills, meadows, lakes and wetlands of the
Riding Mountain Aspen Parkland rise like
an island of wilderness surrounded by a
sea of agricultural development. Species
and habitats of northern, western and eastern
Canada meet here," said Ursula Goeres,
Regional Vice President of the Nature Conservancy
of Canada, Manitoba Region. "The securement
and long-term management of lands such as
those recently protected is critical to
the area's long term conservation."
The Government of Canada's
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 ongoing contribution from all
donors that we can ensure the protection
of natural areas in Canada. As of December
2009, under the Natural Areas Conservation
Program over 127,662 hectares (315,459 acres)
have been secured, protecting habitat for
over 79 species at risk.
Natural Areas Conservation
Program
For more information, please contact:
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Appointments to the
National Round Table on the Environment
and the Economy
OTTAWA, Ont. -- May
19, 2010 -- Today, the Honourable Jim Prentice,
Minister of the Environment, is pleased
to announce the appointment of Mark Parent
and the reappointment of Richard Prokopanko
to the National Round Table on the Environment
and the Economy (NRTEE). The appointment
of Mr. Parent is effective immediately and
the re-appointment of Mr. Prokopanko is
effective June 4, 2010.
"The Government
of Canada values the independent advice
and leadership that the NRTEE provides on
the relationship between economic stability
and long-term environmental health,"
said Minister Prentice. "The experience
and expertise of both Mr. Parent and Mr.
Prokopanko in environmental and economic
issues will greatly benefit the Round Table
as it continues its important work."
The NRTEE draws on the
wealth of insight and experience represented
by its diverse membership that includes
distinguished leaders in business and labour,
universities, environmental organizations,
Aboriginal communities and municipalities.
Appointments are for up to three years.
The Round Table's mission
is to generate and promote innovative ways
to advance Canada's environmental and economic
issues concurrently. To achieve this, it
undertakes research based on sound knowledge,
advises governments and stakeholders on
key issues and promotes practices on sustainable
development. Results of their research and
discussions are disseminated both nationally
and internationally.
National Round Table on the Environment
and the Economy Biographies
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Canada Announces Continental
Approach to Reduce GHG Emissions from Heavy-Duty
Vehicles
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- May
21, 2010 -- Today, the Honourable Jim Prentice,
Minister of the Environment, announced that
the Government of Canada will regulate greenhouse
gas emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles
under the Canadian Environmental Protection
Act, 1999. Canada's regulations will be
aligned with those of the United States.
"Canada and the
United States had great success in establishing
common standards for regulating greenhouse
gas emissions from passenger automobiles
and light trucks," said Minister Prentice.
"Building on our strong working relationship
with the Obama administration, we are taking
the next logical step by addressing emissions
from heavy-duty vehicles."
Environment Canada will
develop proposed regulations to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles.
Over the coming months, the Government will
be working with the heavy-duty trucking
industry, including manufacturers and users,
to develop these regulations. A consultation
draft of the regulations is expected to
be available for comment from industry,
stakeholders and the public in the fall
of 2010. The final regulations will be implemented
between the 2014 and 2018 model year.
In Canada, the transportation
sector accounts for about a quarter of greenhouse
gas emissions. Heavy-duty vehicles account
for about 6 per cent of total greenhouse
gas emissions in Canada. Reducing emissions
in this sector will help us achieve our
2020 target of a 17 per cent reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
