No. H075/05
For release - April 18, 2005
MONTREAL — The Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, today announced $200,000 in funding for a freight sustainability project in Quebec under Transport Canada's Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program.The selected organization is Innovation Maritime.
"Projects such as the one announced today demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting environmental sustainability, innovation and development," said Ms. Frulla. "They also demonstrate the government's willingness to work with industry to balance economic and environmental needs."
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions from the freight transportation sector in Canada. The Government of Canada will contribute up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $250,000, with applicants and their partners contributing the remainder. Approximately $4.5 million will be allocated under the program between 2001 and 2007.
"Not only do these projects demonstrate the transportation industry's ingenuity, they also have the potential to generate tangible results for Canada's freight transportation sector as well as our environment." said Mr. Lapierre.
To date, the government has announced approximately $3.7 million in funding for 30 projects across Canada under the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program.
The program is part of the Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative that was established under the Government of Canada Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change.
More information on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is available at www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP.
Backgrounders with information on projects and the program are attached.
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Contacts:
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Chris KrepskiCommunicationsTransport Canada, Ottawa(613) 993-0055
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BACKGROUNDERPROJECTS FUNDED UNDERTHE SIXTH ROUND OF THE FREIGHTSUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
The following project has been selected for the sixth round of funding under the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program:
Biodiesel fuel in marine transportProject location: Montreal, QuebecInnovation Maritime will receive $200,000 to evaluate the use of B20, a blend of biodiesel and regular diesel fuel, on a ship's auxiliary power units while in the Port of Montreal. In addition to demonstrating the use of B20 in a marine environment, this project will address a vital industry need for information on how a ships' engine will respond to biodiesel fuel in terms of maintenance costs and fuel-efficiency, and will assess the possibility of larger-scale use.
April 2005
BACKGROUNDERFREIGHT SUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada's freight transportation sector.
The program, announced as part of the Government of Canada's Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change, will allocate approximately $4.5 million between 2001 and 2007 for projects that meet the program's criteria. Projects are eligible for a maximum program contribution of $250,000 over two years. Government of Canada contributions will cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses, with applicants and their partners contributing the remainder. Some 30 projects have already been approved for funding.
Transport Canada, together with Natural Resources Canada, selects projects to receive funding under the program, taking into account the recommendations of an advisory committee including representatives of other federal departments, academic institutions, and other not-for-profit organizations. Applications are accepted twice a year, in the spring and the fall. For specific dates, please see the Applicant's Guide on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program website listed below.
All participants in the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program are required to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and report findings from their projects to the program secretariat at Transport Canada.
Transport Canada will make information on successful technologies and best practices available at conferences and other venues and on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program website at www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP.
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is part of the Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative which includes a range of different initiatives designed to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in the freight transportation sector.
April 2005
