MEXICO CITY,
Mexico - September 12, 2011 -Today, Canada's
Environment Minister Peter Kent signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mexico's
Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources,
Juan Elvira Quesada, to increase cooperation
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
Mexico's waste management sector.
"Canada and its
continental neighbour has a strong bilateral
relationship on environmental issues, and
this agreement strengthens our commitment
to work together to reduce our emissions,"
said Minister Kent.
The purpose of this
MOU is to provide solutions to help reduce
Mexico's methane emissions by diverting
organic matter from landfills, capturing
methane gas, and using it as a new source
of energy.
Methane is a short-lived
climate forcer and reducing its emissions
would have benefits for air quality and
public health while helping to address climate
change. Canada will work with Mexico and
share information and expertise in this
area in order to advance our commitment
to reduce emissions globally.
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Government of Canada
joins forces with Ducks Unlimited to conserve
natural environments for wildlife in the
Outaouais
GATINEAU, Que. -- September
26, 2011 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's
Environment Minister, and Royal Galipeau,
Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans,
joined representatives of Ducks Unlimited
and Quebec's Ministère des Ressources
naturelles et de la Faune today to announce
the acquisition for conservation purposes
of Lochaber Bay, which is located in the
Outaouais and includes 715 ha of wetlands.
This area is secured in part with the funding
of $2.19 million from Environment Canada's
Natural Areas Conservation Program.
"This acquisition,
valued at $4.8 million,marks another achievement
under our government's Natural Areas Conservation
Program. With this investment, we are taking
real action to protect and conserve our
ecosystems and sensitive species for present
and future generations," said Minister
Kent. "Your actions today will help
to protect the abundance and variety of
life that will constitute an integral part
of our natural heritage tomorrow."
"Our government
shares a commitment with its partners and
a desire to protect Canada's natural treasures,"
emphasized MP Galipeau. "Today's announcement
is about a program that allows us to make
this commitment a reality and to take concrete
action to preserve our environment."
Lochaber Bay, which
borders the highway 148 for nearly 6 km
in the municipality of Lochaber Ouest, contains
a complex of habitats, 75% of which are
wetlands. The area purchased represents
an exceptional and unique environment in
the Outaouais. The bay is a preferred habitat
for many species of plants and animals.
Among other things, it serves as a staging
area for waterfowl and a breeding habitat
for a number of animal species. The Canada
Goose, the American Black Duck and the Green-winged
Teal are among the species seen there.
"This is an acquisition
project that has been close to our hearts
for the last 20 years at Ducks Unlimited.
Today, our dreams become reality. This would
not have been possible without the significant
financial contribution of Environment Canada,
and it highlights the importance of combining
forces to preserve our remaining wetlands
in Quebec," remarked Bernard Filion,
Director of Ducks Unlimited in Quebec.
This initiative is part
of a financial partnership agreement between
Ducks Unlimited and Quebec's Ministère
des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune,
as well as an agreement between the Government
of Canada and the Nature Conservancy of
Canada to conserve natural environments
across the country.
The Government of Canada's
$225-million 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 March
2011, the Natural Areas Conservation Program
has protected 160,796 hectares of habitat,
which includes habitat for 101species at
risk.
