No. H 246/08
For release - December 22, 2008
OTTAWA — Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing in 11 projects across the country that support green transportation.
The projects, which will receive up to $421,000 under the Moving on Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program, support initiatives run by community groups and non-governmental organizations.
"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 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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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.
Bathurst Sustainable Development in Bathurst, New Brunswick, will receive a contribution of up to $21,000 for a project to update the Bathurst Transportation Master Plan by incorporating the following: a transportation demand assessment; the new Bathurst Sustainability Vision 2020; recommendations regarding the Sustainable Transportation Action Plan; climate change goals; active and sustainable transportation; and accessibility, mobility and multimodal transportation.
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation in Vancouver will receive a contribution of up to $75,000 for a project to encourage families in two British Columbia municipalities to change their transportation behaviour. Program components include a car donation option, scrap-it option and carbon offset donations. In-home visits with participants will develop personalized transportation plans (similar to a home energy audit) and provide incentives to give up a household vehicle, including car share membership.
Dalhousie University in Halifax will receive a contribution of up to $15,000 for a project to reduce single car occupancy travel to and from campus, and to identify ways to increase the use of bicycles. Recommendations arising from this project will be used in future decision making.
DreamRider Theatre Society of Port Moody, British Columbia, will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for a project to create an educational musical play for elementary schools about energy consumption. The focus of the play will be sustainable transportation, showing children actions they can take to offset climate change. Specifically, the play will be used to teach them ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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.
The Fraser Basin Council, based in Vancouver, will receive up to $45,000 for a project to coordinate the development and delivery of green transportation by local governments in small and mid-sized communities. Plans include a comprehensive tool kit and Web materials on green transportation policies, infrastructure and promotion; training in how to design, develop, promote and implement green transportation measures in British Columbia; and a continuing support network to guide ongoing program implementation.
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.
Projet Éco-Touristique de la Baie de Bouctouche Inc. in Bouctouche, New Brunswick, will receive a contribution of up to $10,000 for a project to study the feasibility of a public transit service between Bouctouche and Moncton, and to consider the ecotourism potential of such a service. The study will identify possible ways that riders could enjoy ecotourism or educational tours that practise sustainable tourism.
Smart Growth BC in Vancouver will receive a contribution of up to $75,000 for a project to help citizens and elected officials in Prince George, British Columbia, create a sustainable development plan focusing on alternative transportation planning, green infrastructure and land use. Participants will learn how urban development decisions are directly related to climate change and will use this information in making decisions affecting transportation and land use in downtown Prince George.
TRAX: Ecology Action Centre in Halifax will receive a contribution of up to $30,000 for a project to partner with planning staff in three Nova Scotia communities to assist them in developing the sustainable transportation component of their integrated community sustainability plans. The broader goal is to create an innovative sustainable transportation best practice tool that other municipalities in Nova Scotia can use to incorporate sustainable transportation into their integrated community sustainability plans.
December 2008
