No. H 005/09
For release - January 8, 2009
HALIFAX — The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, announced today that the Government of Canada will invest in two projects in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that support environmentally friendly transportation.
"I am proud that our government supports projects that can be good for our economy and our environment," said Minister MacKay. "They will help greatly improve the public transit system in Halifax."
The following projects have been selected for funding under Transport Canada's ecoMOBILITY program:
- The Halifax Regional Municipality will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for its Guaranteed Ride Home Program, an 18-month pilot project to provide guaranteed rides home for participants in green transportation programs.
- The Halifax Regional Municipality will also receive up to $55,000 for a project to study the feasibility of developing a dedicated municipal fund to encourage transportation choices that will create a greener transportation network.
"Our government is investing in the economic and environmental future of our country," said Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird. "This project will promote greener transportation alternatives while also stimulating our economy."
The ecoMOBILITY program works with provinces, municipalities and regional transportation authorities to help develop initiatives that encourage commuters to choose public transit or other alternatives to personal vehicles. Through the program, the government is taking action to find ways to meet transportation needs, reduce costs to Canadians and protect the environment.
This program is part of the Government of Canada's ecoTRANSPORT Strategy, which has three goals: 1) improving the health of Canadians and the environment by reducing the environmental impacts of transportation; 2) contributing to Canada's future prosperity and competitiveness by making critical transportation infrastructure sustainable both economically and environmentally; and 3) promoting an efficient transportation system that supports choice and the high quality of life Canadians expect.
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