No. H142/03 For releaseNovember 28, 2003TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES SEVENTHROUND OF FUNDING FOR THE MOVING ONSUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMOTTAWA - Transport Minister David Collenette today announced more than $266,650 in funding for seven projects under the seventh round of the Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program. The projects cover a range of initiatives that will contribute to a more environmentally friendly transportation system. Since 1999, more than $1.8 million has been allocated across Canada for 57 projects under the MOST program. "The environmental impacts of transportation can affect our health and quality of life. I am pleased that there has been such continued interest in this program to help Canadians adopt sustainable transportation practices," said Mr. Collenette. "That is also why we have committed funds to enhance Canada's transportation system so that it meets environmental, social and economic goals, as set out in our new policy document Straight Ahead." The following organizations will receive funding under the program: Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, Clean Air Champions, Environment Hamilton, Greenest City, Smart Growth B.C., Université de Moncton - faculté des sciences de l'éducation - Groupe de recherche Littoral et Vie, and Vélo Québec. Under the program, interested parties are invited to submit proposals which are then evaluated by an independent advisory committee comprising members from industry, federal departments, non-governmental organizations and academia. Projects are eligible for a maximum of $100,000 over two years and must receive at least 50 per cent of resources from sources other than the Government of Canada. Since its inception in 1999, the MOST program has allocated approximately $1.8 million to 57 initiatives aimed at encouraging sustainable transportation practices among Canadians. Originally slated to last three years, MOST was extended to 2007 in response to ongoing demand for the program, and was given $2.5 million in additional funding. Funding for this program was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the current fiscal framework.A backgrounder with further information on the Moving On Sustainable Transportation program and the projects awarded funding for the seventh round is included. - 30 - Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDERMOVING ONSUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMThe Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program assists organizations such as environmental groups, community associations, academic institutions and business and professional associations that are conducting projects and delivering concrete results in support of the Government of Canada's commitment to sustainable transportation. The program seeks to stimulate the development of innovative methods for decreasing the impact of transportation on the environment, and also aims to provide Canadians with practical information and tools to apply sustainable transportation thinking to their daily lives. MOST fulfils a commitment made in Transport Canada's first Sustainable Development Strategy, which was tabled in Parliament in 1997.The successful project submissions for the seventh round of funding of MOST are: Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST)BEST will receive $26,000 for its project to research and educate businesses on the benefits of implementing an "idle-free" policy for their vehicle fleets. A sticker recognition campaign will identify companies that are promoting the "idle-free" philosophy within their organizations. Contact: Lucy Hough Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST)822-510 West Hastings StreetVancouver, B.C.V6B 1L8Tel: (604) 669-2860 Clean Air ChampionsClean Air Champions will receive $60,000 in funding to support the completion and testing of an action-oriented, on-line, web-based registration program that aims to motivate youth, ages 14-18 in the Greater Toronto Area, to adopt more active lifestyles and reduce air pollution. Contact: David ChernushenkoClean Air Champions99 Seneca Street,Ottawa, OntarioK1S 4X8Tel: (613) 730-0870 Environment HamiltonEnvironment Hamilton will receive $30,660 to investigate the feasibility of launching a neighbourhood transit pass program in Hamilton. Workshops, community meetings and outreach programs will be conducted with neighbourhood associations to establish an organized network of transit users to mobilize their communities around transit issues. Contact: Don McLean Environment Hamilton1130 Barton Street East, Suite 207Hamilton, OntarioL8H 7P9Tel: (905) 664-8796 Greenest City Environmental OrganizationGreenest City Environmental Organization will receive $19,990 to expand its School Walking Routes project from Toronto to three other Ontario cities. Candidate municipalities will be studied to determine the best locations to develop designated walking routes for students going to and from school and signage will be installed announcing the safest routes. Contact: Jacky KennedyGreenest City Environmental Organization18 Spadina AvenueToronto, OntarioM5V 2H6Tel: (416) 488-7263Smart Growth B.C.Smart Growth B.C. will receive $75,000 for a project to promote sustainable communities that incorporate "smart growth" and sustainable transportation planning. It will design a neighbourhood concept plan, work with municipalities to adopt necessary by-laws and create relevant servicing plans and monitor construction projects. Contact: Jodie SiuSmart Growth on the Ground Planning Director201-402 West Pender StreetVancouver, B.C.V6B 1T6Tel : (604) 915-5234 Université de Moncton ¿ faculté des sciences de l'éducation ¿ Groupe de recherche Littoral et VieThe Université de Moncton will receive $25,000 for a project to establish 25 groups to encourage more environmentally-friendly driving practices in Moncton/Dieppe and Saint-Louis-de-Kent. Target groups include municipal councils, delivery services, seniors, hospital and business employees, social clubs and schoolchildren. Contact: Diane Pruneau Groupe de recherche Littoral et vie Faculté des sciences de l'éducationUniversité de MonctonMoncton, Nouveau-BrunswickTel: (506) 858-4264 Vélo QuébecVélo Québec will receive $30,000 in funding for a project to promote the development of cycling infrastructure in Canadian cities. The project involves hosting workshops across Canada with various groups, including municipal professionals, such as engineers and urban planners, elected officials and representatives of not-for-profit organizations. Contact: Jean-François PronovostVélo Québec 1251, Rachel EstMontréal, QuébecH2J 2J9Tel: (514) 521-8356 November 2003
