No. H065/06For release June 27, 2006 OTTAWA — Five projects designed to contribute to a more
environmentally friendly transportation system have been selected to receive
funding under the final round of the Moving On Sustainable Transportation
program (MOST).
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities, today announced that the selected projects will receive funding
totalling $110,000. These projects represent a range of initiatives, from
promoting safe and walkable neighbourhoods, to collaborating with neighbourhood
residents in the design of local transit growth plans.
"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 following organizations will receive funding under the program: Go For
Green, in Ottawa; Green Communities Canada, in Peterborough, Ontario; Toronto
Environmental Alliance in Toronto; Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi Saint-Laurent in
Saint-Laurent, Quebec; and Ecology Action Centre in Halifax.
Backgrounders with further information on the Moving On Sustainable
Transportation program and the selected projects are 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
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 PROJECTS
The successful project submissions for the 12th round of
funding under the Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program are:
Go For Green, Ottawa, Ontario
This organization will receive $25,000 to conduct up to 15 active transportation
education/planning sessions in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Prince Edward
Island and the Northwest Territories. The project will target small- to
medium-sized communities in provinces/territories that have not received MOST
funding in the past. The funding will help develop 10-point action plans that
will be used to evaluate the progress of the project.
Green Communities Canada, Peterborough, Ontario
This organization will receive $20,000 for a three-phase project to research
school travel plans, pilot their implementation and produce a cohesive national
plan that can be tailored to regional frameworks. The project builds on the
Active and Safe Routes to School Program and aims to make a "School Travel Plan"
part of regular planning at schools and in communities.
Toronto Environmental Alliance, Toronto, Ontario
This organization will receive $15,000 to conduct community roundtables in
under-serviced areas within the city of Toronto. The project will focus on
engaging the public in the development of plans to increase the use of public
transit and improve its service at the community level. The community will
identify transit-related priorities that will be presented to the city and the
Toronto Transit Commission.
Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi Saint-Laurent, Saint-Laurent, Quebec
This organization will receive $25,000 for "vélo saint-lo" activities organized
in cooperation with young people as well as private, public and community
stakeholders in Saint-Laurent. The goal is to present cycling to neighbourhood
youth as a fun, rewarding and beneficial activity. This project has a multi-year
commitment from schools that have already demonstrated ongoing interest in
sustainable transportation projects. Examples of some of the activities in this
project are bike maintenance workshops and the Earn-a-Bike program where young
people who cannot afford to buy a bike can obtain one in exchange for hours
worked in the workshop.
Ecology Action Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia
This 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.
June 2006
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
