QUÉBEC, Que. – February 14, 2013 – The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Lévis—Bellechasse, on behalf of Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced funding from the EcoAction Community Funding Program for a new environmental project in Quebec. The Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique will receive $88,000 in federal funding to support action across Quebec to promote best practices regarding energy efficiency.
“The EcoAction Community Funding Program shows that it is possible to mobilize resources and people to benefit environmental initiatives like the Chantier québécois en efficacité énergétique,” stated Minister Blaney. “With this funding, we are highlighting the fact that field activities aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across Quebec are essential and that they help preserve our natural resources and our environment.”
“Our government is taking real action to address the environmental priorities of Canadians and ensure we have clean air, clean water, and biologically diverse land for generations to come,” said Minister Kent. “EcoAction Community Funding supports community groups across the country willing to take concrete action through on-the-ground environmental projects. We are proud to partner with these organizations that are committed to conserving Canada’s natural legacy.”
The Chantier québécois en efficacité énergétique aims to educate more than 25 000 people regarding energy issues and to promote best practices. This project will allow for the creation of some 30 regional committees that will work in several regions of Quebec to launch initiatives aimed at reducing CO2emissions by 3000 tonnes and other pollutants by 2000 tonnes, and generating 10 000 kWh in energy savings.
“The Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA), the founder of the Chantier québécois en efficacité énergétique, is grateful for this financial support,” noted the association’s president, André Bélisle. “Through the EcoAction Community Funding Program, the AQLPA will be able to encourage better energy consumption habits on the part of both individuals and participating groups.”
The EcoAction Community Funding Program supports projects that rehabilitate, protect or enhance the natural environment, and builds the capacity of communities and individuals to ensure future protection. This year, the Government of Canada is providing over $4 million for over 100 new projects under this program.
More information about the EcoAction Community Funding Program is available on Environment Canada’s website, at http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.
For further information, please contact:
Rob Taylor
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
