No. H067/06For release June 27, 2006
HALIFAX — A project designed to contribute to a more
environmentally friendly transportation system in Nova Scotia has been selected
to receive funding under the final round of the Moving On Sustainable
Transportation program (MOST).
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence
Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced
that the Ecology Action Centre will receive $25,000 for a project designed to
increase awareness of the links between active transportation and health issues
in Halifax and surrounding areas.
"The Ecology Action Centre, as Nova Scotia's oldest community-based
environmental organization, has been advocating on sustainability and
conservation issues for a long time," said Minister McKay. "I am pleased that
the Government of Canada is supporting a project that will promote active
transportation while raising awareness of transportation issues and how they are
linked to our health."
"Moving On Sustainable Transportation is a great program that provides practical
solutions to help Canadians reduce the environmental impacts of transportation,"
said Minister Cannon.
The successful project submission in Nova Scotia for the twelfth round of
funding under the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program is the Ecology
Action Centre, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The organization will receive $25,000 to
develop and increase awareness of the links between active transportation and
health issues within three communities in Nova Scotia. The project will help to
raise awareness with the assistance of the Association of Doctors for the
Advancement of Physically Active Transportation and other medical professionals
and through the creation of community partner groups.
A backgrounder with further information on the Moving On Sustainable
Transportation program is included.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities,
Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Robin Browne
Communications
Transports 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.
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BACKGROUNDER
MOVING ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
The Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) initiative 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 to decrease
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 types of projects eligible for funding include:
studies that contribute to a 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.
June 2006
