No. H206/05For release October 28, 2005
QUEBEC CITY, Que. - Two new projects in Quebec under the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program were announced today by Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.
The Government of Canada is investing $60,000 in these projects. The organizations selected to receive funding are the Canadian Urban Transit Association and Vivre en Ville.
The Canadian Urban Transit Association will receive $30,000 under the program to host the 2006 International Youth Summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation in Montreal. Funding for the summit will raise awareness and knowledge of, and promote action on, sustainable transportation issues and land use planning among youth.
Vivre en Ville will receive $30,000 to implement the MultiMobile program. This program provides additional sustainable transportation options such as walking, cycling, car-pooling and car-sharing for commuters who are currently enrolled, or could potentially be involved in, an employee bus pass program in Quebec City.
"A sustainable transportation system is built a number of different ways," said Mr. Lapierre. "These projects provide practical solutions for communities interested in developing lasting and environmentally friendly transportation."
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.
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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.
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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, 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 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 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 at www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/most/menu.htm.
October 2005
