HALIFAX, NS, Aug. 10, 2016 /CNW/ - Climate change is a major challenge and governments must work towards solutions together. Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna travelled to Nova Scotia this week to meet with Atlantic Canada's four Environment Ministers.
Building on the recently launched Atlantic Growth Strategy, Minister McKenna and her counterparts discussed the challenges each province faces because of climate change and the way forward on solutions, including economic opportunities from renewable and clean energy. They agreed to continue working together on regional clean electricity planning to stimulate innovation, advance clean growth and create good jobs for Atlantic Canadians.
Minister McKenna also met with business leaders, labour representatives, Indigenous people and youth to hear their views and ideas on how we can collectively address climate change.
As part of her visit to Nova Scotia, Minister McKenna travelled to Cape Breton to meet with representatives from the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR), including Chief Terry Paul of the Membertou First Nation and Chief Leroy Denny of the Eskasoni First Nation. The Minister led a roundtable discussion with representatives of the five Mi'kmaq communities in Cape Breton—Eskasoni, Membertou, Potlotek, Wagmatcook and Waycobah—where she learned about the Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative, as well as the UINR vision for integrated resource management.
While in Nova Scotia, the Minister visited Grand Pré National Historic Site, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to launch a call for nominations for new UNESCO World Heritage Sites. She also visited Cape Breton Highlands National Park where she announced $66 million in investments for the park, which will revitalize trails and campgrounds, as well as restore and maintain the Fortress of Louisbourg and Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Sites.
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"From historic and natural wonders to new clean electricity solutions, Atlantic Canada can offer tremendous opportunities. I look forward to working alongside my counterparts from the region as we approach the challenges we face together, and to partnering with them to grow our clean energy economy."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Associated links
Government of Canada seeking nominations for new World Heritage Sites (news release)
The Government of Canada invests in Parks Canada places on Cape Breton Island (news release)
Facebook Photo Album of Minister McKenna's visit to Atlantic Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)
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