MONTREAL, Que. – March
19, 2013 – Canada’s Environment Minister,
the Honourable Peter Kent, spoke today at
AMERICANA 2013, the International Environmental
Technology Trade Show and Conference, about
the Government of Canada’s engagement toward
clean technology. This unique forum encourages
scientific, technical and commercial dialogue
and allows expertise to be disseminated
on an international scale.
“The Government of Canada
is proud to be participating in another
edition of AMERICANA,” said Minister Kent.
“We recognize that ideas and innovation
are changing how we interact with our environment.
That is why we are offering strong leadership—working
with businesses and our international partners—to
protect the environment and encourage environmental
technologies.”
Minister Kent outlined
the Government of Canada’s commitment to
actively support business efforts to develop
innovative and sustainable solutions, advance
technologies and promote a green economy.
For example:
Supporting Sustainable
Development Technology Canada, a not-for-profit
foundation that acts as a catalyst for building
sustainable development technology infrastructure
and is a significant driver of environmental
innovation in Canada.
Investing $61.8 million
to fund 23 projects ranging from an innovative,
environmentally-friendly way to control
bacteria in crops to making heating and
air conditioning systems more energy efficient.
Taking a sector-by-sector
approach to address all major sources of
greenhouse gas emissions, introducing new
standards to safeguard our environment,
stimulate our economy and spur innovation.
Investing $1.2 billion
in fast-start financing to support climate
change action and leverage private sector
investment for projects in developing countries
with a focus on sectors such as clean technology,
renewable energy, energy efficiency, water,
agriculture, and forestry.
All of these efforts—both
internationally and in Canada—are driving
innovation in environmental technology.
The Government of Canada
has been taking part in AMERICANA since
its first conference in 1995.
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Minister Kent Discusses
Canada’s Green Economy at European Union–Canada
Conference
MONTREAL, Que. – March
20, 2013 – Canada’s Environment Minister,
the Honourable Peter Kent, spoke at the
European Union–Canada Going Green Conference
in Montreal today on Canada’s approach to
creating a greener economy.
“The Harper Government
is committed to protecting the environment
for present and future generations,” said
Minister Kent. “By any measure, Canada’s
regulatory agenda is an ambitious one, focused
on the establishment and consistent enforcement
of transparent world-class environmental
standards.”
Minister Kent emphasized
Canada’s commitment to operate as a world-class
regulator in areas such as chemical management,
air and water quality and biodiversity;
as well as Canada’s ambitious sector-by-sector
approach to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions.
GHG reductions measures
taken to date include banning the construction
of future coal-fired plants that use traditional
technology, implementing GHG standards for
passenger cars and light trucks, and most
recently releasing standards for heavy trucks
that will see GHG reductions of up to 23
percent by the 2018 model year, as well
as significantly lower fuel usage and costs
for vehicle owners and operators.
Canada’s approach to
a green economy also includes investments
in clean technology projects and research,
as well as collaborations with private and
international partners on the development
of innovative technologies that benefit
the environment. Recently, Canada strengthened
its commitment to “green” Canada’s economy
by investing $61.8 million to assist 23
new clean technology projects, ranging from
an innovative, environmentally-friendly
way to control bacteria in crops to making
heating and air conditioning systems more
energy efficient. Overall, since 2006, Canada
has invested more than $10 billion to reduce
GHG emissions, to improve energy efficiency
and to develop green infrastructure.
The Government of Canada
supports ongoing innovations that sustain
Canada’s environment while stimulating our
economy. Driving environmental technologies
at home and abroad is allowing Canada to
promote a sustainable environment while
achieving economic benefits for all Canadians.
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Canada’s Environment
Minister Discusses Environmental Initiatives
in Vancouver
VANCOUVER, B.C. – March
13, 2013 – Canada’s Environment Minister,
the Honourable Peter Kent, spoke to the
Vancouver Board of Trade today about the
Government of Canada’s initiatives to strengthen
environmental protection.
“The value of our environment
and its significance are well understood
by the Harper Government,” said Minister
Kent. “We recognize that conservation and
environmental protection are very important
to well-being of all Canadians.”
Minister Kent outlined
the Government of Canada’s commitment to
ensuring that Canadians have access to a
healthy environment. The Government of Canada
is committed to protecting the environment,
and has backed up that commitment by taking
a number of measures. For example, we are:
Implementing regulations
to reduce greenhouse gases from coal-fired
electricity plants, which will reduce greenhouse
gases by 214 megatonnes over the period
2015–2035. We expect that every coal-fired
plant in Canada that uses traditional technology
will eventually be closed, with the first
plants closing in the next few years.
Implementing regulations to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles that
will see emissions from 2018 vehicles reduced
by up to 23 percent.
Consulting on regulations that will see
greenhouse gases from cars and light trucks
fall by 50 percent by 2025.
Implementing regulations requiring 5 percent
renewable fuel in gasoline.
Through sound science, strong leadership,
and productive partnerships, the Government
of Canada has also advanced initiatives
towards protecting and increasing land conservation,
and protecting endangered species.
These initiatives include
the proposed designation of the Scott Islands
marine National Wildlife Area, and the proposed
Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine
Conservation Area Reserve.
