OTTAWA, Nov. 8, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to protecting and recovering aquatic species at risk, to the benefit of Canada's biodiversity and local communities that rely on our natural resources.
The Government of Canada has created the Nature Legacy to protect Canada's nature and wildlife. As part of the Nature Legacy, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced today that Fisheries and Oceans Canada is providing project funding for two on-going programs that contribute to the protection, recovery and conservation of aquatic species at risk and the habitats that support them.
The investments in the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk and Habitat Stewardship Program are intended to support Canadians in their efforts to help protect and recover aquatic species at risk and are intended to not only remove human threats to the habitats of aquatic species at risk, but also to support their recovery and protect them in the future so that the benefits of these efforts will be sustained for generations to come.
For 2018-2019:
- the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk is investing more than $2.2 million for 51 projects.
- the Habitat Stewardship Program is investing more than $1.6 million for 41 projects.
The Government of Canada is committed to collaborating with Indigenous organizations in the stewardship of aquatic species at risk and the ecosystems they depend on, to the benefit of Canada's biodiversity and local communities that rely on our natural resources.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be putting out a call for proposals for 2019-2020 projects for both programs in the coming weeks.
Quotes
"Our government recognizes the importance of protecting, enhancing and conserving Canada's aquatic species at risk and their habitats. The funding announced today will enable our partners, including Indigenous organizations across the country to continue making a positive impact for the future of our country's biodiversity and the natural resources that Canadians rely on."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick Facts
- Originating from Budget 2018, the Nature Legacy is investing $1.3 billion over five years.
- The Habitat Stewardship Program and Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk are on-going, annual contribution programs that will align and contribute to the goals of Canada's Nature Legacy.
- Starting in 2018-19, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is taking on an increased role for the aquatic aspects of the Habitat Stewardship Program and Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada leads on the terrestrial aspects of the Habitat Stewardship Program and Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk.
- The Habitat Stewardship Program aims to contribute to the recovery of endangered, threatened, and other species at risk by engaging Canadians from all walks of life in conservation actions to benefit wildlife.
- The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk supports the involvement of Indigenous communities in Species at Risk Act implementation by investing in community capacity and encouraging activities that contribute to conservation and recovery of species at risk.
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada
Jocelyn Lubczuk, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Océans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-992-3474, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]
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