CFB Esquimalt, July 26,
2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister
of the Environment, today announced that
the federal government will invest $214
million this year to clean up contaminated
sites across Canada. Minister Baird made
the announcement on Canadian Forces Base
Esquimalt, one of the sites that will benefit
from the investment.
“Our Government takes its responsibilities
to protect the health and safety of Canadians
and the environment very seriously,” said
Minister Baird. “By making strong investments
like this one, this government is ensuring
that the quality of the air we breathe and
the water we drink, the health of our ecosystems
and the wildlife they support will be maintained
for future generations of Canadians.”
The funding announced today includes $189.3
million for the remediation and risk management
of 279 priority contaminated sites under
federal responsibility across Canada. An
additional $25 million has been earmarked
for the assessment of an estimated 417 sites,
to determine next steps and what scientific
support that is necessary to restore the
site.
Approximately 11,000 sites are currently
listed in the Federal Contaminated Sites
Inventory. Over 6,000 of these have been
assessed or classified under the National
Classification System developed by the Canadian
Council of Ministers of the Environment.
You can view the federal contaminated sites
inventory at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dfrp-rbif/cs-sc/.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
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Minister Baird Offers Congratulations to
New Graduates of Enforcement Training Program
OTTAWA, July 24, 2007 –The Honourable John
Baird, Minister of the Environmenttoday
applauded 15 new graduates of Environment
Canada’s Basic Enforcement Training course,
hosted by Algonquin College in Ottawa. The
Minister attended the ceremony and was on
hand to give the new graduates their diplomas
and offer his best wishes.
“I want to extend my sincere congratulations
to this latest group of graduates ,” said
Minister Baird. “Completing this course
puts them on the road to a rewarding career
as enforcement officers with Environment
Canada. Canada’s New Government has made
enforcement of environmental laws a priority,
and today’s graduates will help protect
our wildlife and ensure clean air, water
and green spaces for the benefit of all
Canadians.”
"Algonquin College is pleased to partner
with Environment Canada to provide Basic
Enforcement Training for Environment Canada
Officers,” says Gerry Barker, Executive
Dean, Faculty of Health, Public Safety and
Community Studies, Algonquin College. “Algonquin
would like to congratulate these 15 graduates
as they are now prepared to return to their
offices across Canada and implement what
they have learned at Algonquin in their
new role as Environment Canada Officers."
Environment Canada enforcement personnel
conduct inspections and investigate potential
offences under a number of Acts and Regulations
including the Canadian Environmental Protection
Act, 1999; the Species at Risk Act (SARA);
the pollution provisions of Canada's Fisheries
Act; the Migratory Birds Act and Regulation;
and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection
and Regulation of International and Interprovincial
Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). They help ensure
that companies, government employees and
the general public comply with legislation
and regulations that protect Canada's environment.
For more information about the Government
of Canada’s environmental initiatives, please
visit: http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Minister Baird Issues Statement of Concern
Regarding the Oil Spill in Burnaby, BC
OTTAWA, July 24, 2007 –The Honourable John
Baird, Minister of the Environment, today
issued the following statement in relation
to the oil spill in Burnaby, BC
“I want to extend my thoughts to the residents
of Burnaby, BC who are affected by this
oil spill, especially those who were evacuated
as a result of this disaster.
“My department is working with our provincial
and municipal counterparts to assess the
situation and do what is necessary to contain
it. I have spoken with BC Environment Minister
Barry Penner and have offered our Government’s
full assistance.
“We are working collaboratively to ensure
that the health and safety of all residents
and wildlife is protected.”
For more information about the Government
of Canada’s environmental initiatives, please
visit: http://www.ec.gc.ca.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
