No. H132/05
For release - June 8, 2005
OTTAWA — Five new projects in Ontario under the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program were announced today by the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.
The Government of Canada is investing $204,000 in these projects. The organizations selected to receive funding are Clean Air Champions, EnviroCentre, Greenest City, Nature Canada, and The Otesha Project.
"The pioneering work of these organizations provides a sound foundation for integrating environmental considerations into local transportation systems," said Mr. Volpe. "Even in its tenth round of funding, the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program continues to attract excellent project ideas."
Since it began in 1999, the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program has funded 73 projects aimed at encouraging sustainable transportation practices among Canadians. Originally slated to last three years with more than $1 million to be allocated, the program was extended to 2007 in response to ongoing demand, and was given $2.5 million in additional funding. This is the tenth round of projects to receive funding under the program.
"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sustainable transportation," said Mr. Lapierre. "Communities need solutions that respond to local challenges and the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program provides several innovative options."
Funding for the program was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.
Backgrounders with further information on the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program and the winning projects are included.
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Contacts:
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Chris KrepskiCommunicationsTransport Canada, Ottawa(613) 993-0055
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BACKGROUNDERMOVING ON SUSTAINABLETRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
The successful project submissions for the tenth round of funding under the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program in Ontario are:
Clean Air ChampionsProject location: Ottawa, OntarioClean Air Champions will receive $59,000 to deliver a curriculum-linked, web-based program on sustainable transportation to students in grades eight and nine in secondary schools in five Canadian cities.
EnviroCentreProject location: Ottawa, OntarioEnviroCentre will receive $20,000 to help formulate a strategy aimed at developing Canada's first Transportation Management Association. The association is proposed for Ottawa's Byward Market area, which features entertainment, tourist and retail establishments. Transportation Management Associations work with employers and employees to find the best ways to reduce the number of car trips by encouraging alternatives such as car-sharing, car-pooling and employee shuttle services and introducing transit use incentives.
Greenest CityProject location: Toronto, OntarioGreenest City will receive $35,000 to replace delivery routes traditionally served by motorized vehicles, with a bicycle delivery service. In addition to reducing emissions, this service will allow delivery men and women to conduct public education and outreach on sustainable transportation issues in the community.
Nature CanadaProject location: Ottawa, OntarioNature Canada will receive $50,000 to educate the public about the environmental impact of off-highway vehicles such as off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and personal watercraft. The project will also bring together stakeholder groups to develop a common vision for sustainable off-highway vehicle use.
The Otesha ProjectProject location: Ottawa, OntarioThe Otesha Project will receive $40,000 to bring together 60 individuals to act as sustainable transportation role models. They will travel on bicycles to largely rural communities accompanied by a biodiesel/hybrid fuel vehicle to engage youth on sustainability issues.
June 2005
BACKGROUNDERMOVING ON SUSTAINABLETRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
The Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program is an innovative Transport Canada funding program that provides financial support to help organizations conduct projects that will produce the kinds of education, awareness and analytical tools necessary to make sustainable transportation a reality. Eligible organizations include environmental groups, community associations, academic institutions, Aboriginal organizations, and business and professional associations.
The program seeks to stimulate the development of innovative methods for decreasing the impact of transportation on the environment, to achieve quantifiable results and to provide Canadians with practical information and tools to apply sustainable transportation thinking to their daily lives.
The MOST program fulfils a commitment made in Transport Canada's first Sustainable Development Strategy, which was tabled in Parliament in 1997. The first phase of the program began in the fiscal year 1999-2000, with more than $1 million to be allocated over three years. In response to ongoing demand, the program was recently extended to 2007 with an additional $2.5 million to be allocated over five years. To date, about $2.6 million has been allocated towards a variety of initiatives aimed at encouraging sustainable transportation to diverse target audiences.
The types of projects eligible for funding include:
studies that contribute to greater understanding of sustainable transportation issues;
initiatives to develop new and innovative sustainable transportation tools and practices;
pilot projects that test new sustainable transportation approaches or alternatives;
workshops and information sessions to support new sustainable transportation ideas or approaches; and
education and outreach programs that inform the Canadian public about sustainable transportation.
Individual projects may receive up to a maximum of $100,000 over two years. In keeping with the Government of Canada's commitment to partnership, applicants must also demonstrate that 50 per cent of their eligible net costs are provided by other sources.
Project proposals are screened against detailed eligibility criteria. Proposals that meet the initial requirements are sent to an independent advisory committee for further review and recommendations. Transport Canada makes the final decision on funding requests.
Transport Canada is committed to contributing to a lasting and environmentally friendly transportation system. Through MOST, the department is helping to find ways to meet today's transportation needs while protecting the environment for future generations of Canadians.
For more information, visit Transport Canada's MOST website.
June 2005
