WINNIPEG, October 13, 2005 - Federal Government contributions
to sustainable development research totaling $6.7 million were announced
today by Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the
Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation and
the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment. This
is yet another initiative under the Government of Canada’s Project
Green, the broad environmental vision that links Canada’s economic
competitiveness and prosperity to a sustainable future.
Environment Canada has increased its annual support to the International
Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), a Winnipeg-based research
organization, from $200,000 to $1 million annually under terms of its
three-year agreement with IISD. In recognition of the Institute's ongoing
contribution to sustainable development and poverty reduction, the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) is providing a grant of $3,720,000,
over three years.
“The Government of Canada is committed to its research capacities
in sustainable development,” said Minister Alcock. “Supporting
a Winnipeg-based organization such as the International Institute for
Sustainable Development demonstrates that Canada recognizes its role
and its responsibility towards other countries that are less fortunate.”
“Environmental sustainability and poverty reduction are intrinsically
linked. I am proud that CIDA is a leader on environment and sustainable
development. “More focus on environmental issues is essential,
if we, as an international community hope to achieve the Millennium Development
Goals,” said Minister Carroll.
“IISD has been providing Environment Canada with relevant and
advanced research on sustainable development issues such as water quality,
biodiversity and climate change,” said Minister Dion. “Our
partnership has proven, and will continue to prove, invaluable to the
quality and precision of Canada's environmental policies.”
Dr. Bill Glanville, Vice President and Acting CEO of IISD, thanked Environment
Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for their
continued support.
“This funding is absolutely crucial to maintaining the intellectual
infrastructure that allows IISD to carry out our work and continue to
be relevant on so many major issues – from water policy in the
Prairies to international negotiations on climate change, to poverty
reduction in Mali, to working on environmental policy in China ” said
Dr. Glanville.
With Government of Canada funding support, the IISD will
conduct research and information dissemination activities pertinent
to sustainability
in Canada and internationally. Research on sustainable development and engagement of partners on the
full range of sustainability challenges including climate change, clean
air, clean water, land use and biodiversity supports Project Green -
the set of policies and programs aimed at supporting a sustainable environment,
healthy population and competitive economy. Project Green addresses environmental
and competitiveness issues for the 21st century including measures to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to increase fuel and energy efficiency
and to increase Canadian and foreign markets for environmental technologies
that can drive our economy and protect our environment and health. Through
Project Green’s policies and programs, Canada can set an international
example by developing effective model solutions for the long-term health
of the planet.
For more information, please contact:
Brigitte Caron
Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister
Of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Andrew Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
(819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: (819)953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
