Trois-Rivières, Quebec, April 3, 2007 Acting on behalf of the
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament
for Lotbinière Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister of Natural Resources, today launched the first Enviroclub to be set
up in the Mauricie region, in the presence of Claude Vanasse, Coordinator
of Industrial Ecology Services at the Centre québécois de développement
durable (CQDD).
Enviroclub is an initiative of Canada Economic Development,
Environment Canada and the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial
Research Assistance Program. Enviroclubs are aimed at increasing the
productivity of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) through
pollution prevention, eco-efficiency and better environmental management in a
perspective of profitability and enhanced competitiveness. To date,
168 SMEs have taken part in the Enviroclubs in different regions of
Quebec.
"The project production process is now under way and should be completed by
the end of fall 2007. Based on the experience of our other Enviroclubs, there is
every reason to believe that the results will be just as positive," commented
Claude Vanasse of the CQDD.
MP Gourde remarked, "By adopting business practices that are respectful
of the environment, small and medium-sized enterprises save money and increase
their business and market opportunities. This is why
Canada Economic Development is proud to support the establishment of
Enviroclubs which contribute not only to maximizing productivity but to
increasing the competitiveness of companies in the Quebec region."
"Today's announcement fully respects the $4.5-billion investment
committed in Budget 2007 to provide for clean air and water, the reduction
of greenhouse gases, the fight against climate change and the protection of our
natural environment," said the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of
Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council. "This
initiative reinforces Canada's New Government's commitment to support the
environment," he added.
By taking part in this Enviroclub, the SMEs will carry out made-to-measure
pollution prevention projects. These in-plant projects deal, for example, with
process optimization, reduction of energy consumption and the use of resources,
and improvement of operating practices.
The mission of the Centre québécois de développement durable, which
has its head office in Alma and employs 15 people, is to develop tools to
enable companies, organizations, institutions, municipalities and government
departments and agencies to implement sustainable development within their
organizations.
For further information about the Enviroclub initiative, visit www.enviroclub.ca.
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Sources:
Jean DécaryCommunications Canada Economic DevelopmentTel.:
514-283-8818E-mail: jean.decary@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 819-953-5646Cell.: 613-816-5094E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Dominique BoudreauEnviroclub CoordinatorCentre québécois de
développement durableCell.: 418-564-6866Web site: www.cqdd.qc.ca
