No. H 250/08
For release - December 22, 2008
OTTAWA — Today Canada’s Transport Minister, John Baird, announced that the Government of Canada is investing in three projects in Ontario that support environmentally friendly transportation.
“The MOST program provides help to reduce the impact of transportation on the environment,” said Minister Baird. “We are committed to delivering real results for Canadians, creating jobs and boosting our economy. Our government’s funding of these projects is a clear example of that.”
The following projects have been selected for funding under Transport Canada’s Moving on Sustainable Transportation program (MOST):
- Durham Sustain Ability in Brougham will receive a contribution of up to $30,000 for a project to encourage local employers and their employees to use green transportation.
- Grand River CarShare in Kitchener will receive a contribution of up to $20,000 for a project to study the feasibility of car sharing and carpooling.
- Green Communities Canada in Peterborough will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for a project to support local communities in creating public spaces where people choose active and green transportation.
The purpose of MOST is to provide Canadians with practical information and opportunities to better incorporate green transportation into their daily lives. Through MOST, the government is helping find ways to meet today’s transportation needs while protecting the environment for future generations of Canadians.
A backgrounder with further information on the MOST program and a list of projects selected for funding are attached.
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MOVING ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
The Moving on Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program is a Transport Canada funding program that provides financial assistance to non-governmental organizations for projects that will help make sustainable transportation a reality in Canada. Eligible organizations include environmental groups, community associations, academic institutions, aboriginal organizations, and business and professional associations.
The program achieves results by providing Canadians with practical information and tools to incorporate green transportation into their daily lives. The program also promotes the development of innovative ways to decrease the impact of transportation on the environment.
The types of projects eligible for funding include:
- studies, analyses or plans that make recommendations on sustainable transportation;
- development of new and innovative sustainable transportation tools;
- small-scale pilot projects or demonstration projects that test new sustainable transportation approaches or alternatives;
- replication of successful sustainable transportation initiatives in additional communities while customizing project details to the new location; and
- workshops and conferences that educate stakeholders (professionals employed in the field, or managers and staff of sustainable transportation projects) on sustainable transportation.
Individual projects may receive up to $150,000 over three years. Applicants must demonstrate that 50 per cent of their eligible project costs are provided by sources other than the program.
Project proposals are reviewed by an independent advisory committee according to published evaluation and eligibility criteria. Transport Canada makes the decision on the allocation of funding, drawing on the recommendations of the committee.
Transport Canada is committed to a sustainable transportation system. Through MOST, the Government of Canada is helping 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.
Backgrounder
PROJECTS FUNDED IN ONTARIO UNDER THE MOVING ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
Durham Sustain Ability in Brougham, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $30,000 for a project to encourage local employers and their employees to use green transportation such as carpooling, public transit, cycling, walking and fuel-efficient vehicles. The group will use community-based social marketing techniques (such as household transportation plans) to encourage participation.
Grand River CarShare in Kitchener, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $20,000 for a project to study the feasibility of car sharing and carpooling in rural communities near Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge. The focus will be on the possibility of car sharing in bedroom communities that often require households to have multiple vehicles.
Green Communities Canada in Peterborough, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for a project to support local communities in creating public spaces where people choose active and green transportation. The project will attempt to increase awareness of what makes a walkable community.
December 2008
