MINISTER BAIRD SALUTES THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY 2010

OTTAWA, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today issued the following statement to mark the end of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010:

"As we mark the success of the International Year of Biodiversity, the end of 2010 is not the end of our concern for the abundance and variety of life on Earth. Indeed, we must carry on our work," said Minister Baird. "The International Year of Biodiversity 2010 helped inspire and engage Canadians on taking action in their communities and across our country to conserve and preserve.

"One of the key accomplishments of 2010 was the international consensus in adopting the Nagoya Protocol to help provide solutions that will help preserve the rich natural inheritance we all share. I am pleased that countries agreed on an ambitious and achievable strategic plan for protecting biodiversity into the future. This will help us sustain momentum, spur new efforts and make an important contribution to preserving biodiversity around the globe.

"When it comes to conservation, our Government has a strong record. We have taken action to protect close to nearly 10% of Canada's land mass, as well as areas in our oceans and Great Lakes the size of Nova Scotia. We also have the best and most diverse national park system in the world and massively expanded it in the last four years.

"Our Government is taking significant steps to conserve lands and wildlife, and we look forward to working with our provincial and municipal partners and other partners both here at home and abroad to continue to make progress, building on the success of the International Year of Biodiversity.

"Through funding programs such as Habitat Stewardship Program, the $225 million to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Ecogifts program, strong environmental enforcement with tough new tools and fines, and reviewing our legislation to make protections for species at risk stronger, our Government takes action each and every day to protect our natural space and wildlife. We all have a common goal and it's up to all of us now to work effectively together to protect our natural heritage and leave a legacy to future generations.

"Canada is proud of the progress made during the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, and we will carry this momentum into planning and preparation for the International Year of Forests 2011. "

(Également offert en français)

                                                                       

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