Harper Government announces investments related to the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

SAINT-JOACHIM, QC, July 23, 2015 /CNW/ - Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière — Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, announced today that $425,000 in funding had been allocated to the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area to improve infrastructure for visitors.

The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area will receive funding from 2015 to 2018 to improve visitor infrastructure and recreational facilities, as well as build new observation walkways and roosts for Chimney Swifts, a species at risk. In addition, the Tadoussac Bird Observatory received a contribution to set up a bird banding and interpretive station in collaboration with the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area.

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will invest $8 million over five years, followed by $725,000 on an ongoing basis for 10 national wildlife areas in Canada that are deemed to have potential for greater public access. This initiative plays a key role in the National Conservation Plan launched by Prime Minister Harper in 2014.
• Since 2006, we have added an area nearly twice the size of Vancouver Island to the network of federal protected areas. This includes the establishment of three National Wildlife Areas, which increase the number of national wildlife areas in Canada to 54.
• Established in 1978 by Environment Canada, the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area protects a diverse wildlife and rare species, and is recognized as an Important Bird Area in Canada and a Wetland of International Significance under the Ramsar Convention.
• The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area covers 2,400 hectares and is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, 50 km northeast of downtown Quebec City. Nestled between the river and the mountain, the National Wildlife Area includes a variety of natural habitats and is home to over 180 bird species, including Greater Snow Geese during migration periods. It also has a 20‑km network of hiking trails with lookouts and rest stations for observing nature.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to bringing Canadians closer to Canada's rich natural heritage. This initiative plays an important part in our government's National Conservation Plan. By giving Canadians opportunities to discover nature, we are fostering an appreciation for the outdoors and building a community of stewards among Canadians of all ages."
– The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council

"Our government is committed to the long-term conservation of biodiversity and is working with partners to protect and conserve species at risk and their habitats in Canada. The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area is part of the Canadian network of 54 National Wildlife Areas established to preserve important habitats for wildlife."
– Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière — Chutes-de-la-Chaudière,

Related links

National Conservation Plan website
Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area website

Environment Canada's Twitter page

Environment Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment Canada

Ted Laking, Communications Director, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Media Relations, Environment Canada, 819-934-8008