OTTAWA, Ontario, March
30, 2007–Canada ’s Minister of the Environment,
John Baird,joined by Premier and Minister
of the Environment Dennis Fentie,today announced
$5 million in funding for the Yukon as part
of a trust fund set up by Canada’s New Government
to support provincial and territorial projects
to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and air pollutants. The $1.5 billion dollar
trust fund for clean air and climate change
is part of the Government’s recent $4.5
billion budget commitment to make real progress
on important environmental issues.
”Yukon has proposed some real, concrete
initiatives that will help Canada move forward
on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
air pollutants. Our new Government has demonstrated
its commitment to these reductions in our
budget announcements, and we’re demonstrating
it here again today”, said Minister Baird.
“In supporting Yukon’s efforts, we can work
together to find solutions to Canada’s environmental
challenges.”
Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie said the funds
will be used to install a third hydro turbine
at the Aishihik hydro electric plant in
south-western Yukon since it supports a
goal in the Yukon Government’s Climate Change
Strategy adopted in September 2006.
The strategy states the Yukon government
will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in
Yukon through efficiency improvements in
the short term and additional measures related
to infrastructure replacement in the longer
term by providing alternatives to diesel
for electricity generation.
Premier Fentie said this project will reduce
Yukon’s estimated annual greenhouse gas
emissions by 3,800 tonnes by reducing the
Yukon’s reliance on diesel generated electrical
energy that would otherwise be required
during peak demand times.
“The challenges and opportunities arising
from climate change have moved to the forefront
as we continue our efforts to responsibly
manage our air, land, water and wildlife
resources,” Premier Fentie said. “This $5
million contribution is a welcome addition
to our efforts to mitigate activities that
contribute to climate change. These funds
to reduce our dependence on diesel generated
electricity can provide many long term benefits
to this territory”
Canada’s New Government is already delivering
on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
and air pollution by taking tangible steps
with initiatives in the energy and transportation
sectors such as ecoEnergy and ecoTransport,
and by committing to implement aggressive
regulations to reduce emissions in all sectors.
The provincial and territorial initiatives
supported by Canada’s New Government’s trust
fund for clean air and climate change will
complement those efforts.
As announced, resources for the trust will
consist of $1.5 billion of new funding on
a national basis. This funding is a part
of the actions being taken by Canada’s new
Government in their plan to build a stronger,
safer, better Canada. The funding will also
play a part in the Government’s action on
the fiscal imbalance.
For more information about the Federal
Government’s environmental initiatives,
please visit: http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca
For further information on the Yukon’s
environmental issues and programs, please
visit: http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca
Eric Richer / Press Secretary / Office of
the Minister of the Environment
