No. H258/05
For release November 24, 2005
EDMONTON - A new project in Alberta under Transport Canada's Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program was announced today by The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.
"This project and others like it, prove that environmental sustainability, innovation and development all go together," said Minister McLellan. "Today's funding will enable WestJet to continue to do its part to protect the environment."
WestJet has been selected for funding of $250,000 to undertake a project for reducing fuel consumption, noise and greenhouse gas emissions, for the fleet of Next-Generation Boeing 737 aircraft through the implementation of a series of fuel saving measures identified by the pilot and dispatch groups at WestJet. These measures include the implementation of Required Navigation Performance, a satellite-based approach-flight efficiency system, improved flight planning techniques and a tailored thrust program. The program's performance will be monitored monthly and on an ad hoc basis by assessing fuel efficiency and comparing flight plans with actual flight data.
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 $4.7 million will be allocated under the program between 2001 and 2007.
"I'm pleased to see that members of the freight transportation industry are coming up with innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Minister Lapierre. "The Government of Canada is dedicated to funding industry projects that will ultimately benefit all Canadians by helping the environment."
To date, the government has announced approximately $4.4 million in funding for 31 projects across Canada under the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program. This 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.
A backgrounder with information on the program is attached.
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Contacts:
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Chris Krepski
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
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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 $4.7 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 31 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.
