No. H203/05For release October 28, 2005
VANCOUVER, B.C. - Two new projects in British Columbia under the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program were announced today by the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification, Minister of State (Sport) and Member of Parliament
(Vancouver Quadra), on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.
The Government of Canada is investing $100,000 in these projects. The organizations selected to receive funding are the University of British Columbia Design Centre for Sustainability and the University of British Columbia.
The University of British Columbia Design Centre for Sustainability in Vancouver will receive $50,000 to develop a tool kit of publications, workshops and activities. This tool kit will be used in a "charette" or collaborative urban design round-table to find sustainable solutions. These solutions will then be applied to districts in the Greater Vancouver area.
The University of British Columbia in Vancouver will receive $50,000 under the program to conduct a comprehensive study on barriers to cycling in the Greater Vancouver area. The information collected from the study will help develop policies to remove these barriers and support cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.
"The Government of Canada is committed to creating sustainable communities," said Mr. Owen. "The two UBC projects announced today are an investment in the future of Vancouver and its residents."
The Moving on Sustainable Transportation program has funded 84 projects aimed at encouraging sustainable transportation practices among Canadians since it began in 1999. 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 eleventh round of projects to receive funding under the program.
"Since its introduction, the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program has consistently inspired new and innovative project ideas," said Mr. Lapierre. "I am pleased that there has been such continued interest in this program."
Funding for the program was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.
A backgrounder with further information on the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program is included.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of
Transport, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Chris Krepski
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
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.
BACKGROUNDER
MOVING ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION 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, achieve quantifiable results and 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 $3 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 Canadians 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 at www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/most/menu.htm
October 2005
