WINNIPEG, March 3, 2007 - The Honourable John Baird, Canada's
Minister of the Environment, joined by Manitoba Premier
Gary Doer today announced that Canada's New Government intends
to provide Manitoba with $53.8 million as part of the new
Canada ecoTrust to support provincial projects that will
help reduce greenhouse gas emissions smog and air pollution.
"Canada's New Government is making these investments
to help improve the environment for Canadians by reducing
greenhouse gases and air pollution," said Minister
Baird. "Today's announcement recognizes Manitoba's
leadership in this area, and provides support for measurable
progress that benefits all Canadians."
We are pleased the federal government is here today, joining
forces with us in dealing with climate change," Doer
said. "BusinessWeek Magazine has recognized Manitoba
as having the best regional climate change action plan in
the world and we are number one in Canada on energy efficiency.
By adding a strong federal partner, we will be able to accelerate
our plans to continue building Manitoba's renewable energy
portfolio while conserving energy."
Manitoba's funding under the Canada ecoTrust is intended
to support projects consistent with Manitoba's climate change
action plan. When combined with existing and new provincial
initiatives, this funding will help Manitoba reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions by 2 megatons. The government of
Manitoba has indicated that it will use Canada ecoTrust
funding to move forward on several provincial projects,
which may include:
• expanding Manitoba's low-income energy efficiency program
into additional communities, adding to the 300 megawatts
saved to date through conservation efforts;
• supporting the creation of new biodiesel plants in rural
Manitoba;
• increasing Manitoba's portfolio of renewable energy to
include solar power and bio-gas; and,
• dedicating part of the fund to Manitoba's portion of an
east-west Power Grid.
The Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change will
be designed to allow each province and territory to develop
technology, energy efficiency, and other projects that will
provide real results. The Government of Canada will work
with all provinces and territories to fully develop this
new, national fund.
Canada's New Government is already taking concrete action
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by
committing to implement aggressive regulations to reduce
emissions in all industrial sectors and bring in new initiatives
in the energy and transportation sectors. Manitoba's ongoing
and new initiatives, supported by the Canada ecoTrust, will
complement those efforts.
The Canada ecoTrust will be established using part of the
anticipated 2006-07 budgetary surplus. Resources for the
Canada ecoTrust initiative will consist of $1.5 billion
of new funding on a national basis. This funding will be
contained in the upcoming budget and is a part of the actions
being taken on the fiscal imbalance. This new funding will
be available as soon as Parliament approves the budget.
For further information, Eric Richer
Atlas of Bank Restoration Sites of the St. Lawrence River
The Atlas of Bank Restoration Sites of the St. Lawrence
River was produced within the framework of the St. Lawrence
Plan. It presents a survey of habitats disrupted by the
anthropogenic activities carried out in decades past, particularly
in-filling, draining, diking and deforestation. This interactive
tool, which is available in electronic format only, is highly
useful for promoters, government officials, municipalities,
conservation agencies and consultants alike. Waterfront
property owners seeking to get involved in restoring disturbed
wildlife habitats will also find valuable information.
The atlas took three years to complete and is the product
of more than 30 contributing scientific experts. Its dedicated
Web site includes over 3000 pages of text, 1500 photos and
200 sketches. It includes indexed entries of close to 500
sites totaling some 700 ha along the fluvial section, estuary
and Gulf of St. Lawrence and some tributary rivers as well
as areas bordering the Gaspé Peninsula. The atlas
presents a wealth of information in the form of descriptive
fact sheets, including location maps and restoration sketches.
It is a tool par excellence for doing research on target
sites for restoration along the St. Lawrence.
