The Harper Government Announces Investment in Community Environmental Projects Across Canada

WINNIPEG, Aug. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, today announced $4.5 million in funding under the EcoAction Community Funding Program for new and existing projects in 2013-14. We have already approved 83 new projects this year.

"Our Government is taking real action to conserve our environment for the future," said Minister Aglukkaq. "EcoAction Community Funding supports local groups and organizations that take concrete action with on-the-ground environmental projects."

The EcoAction Community Funding Program supports projects that help Canadians to rehabilitate, protect or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities and individuals to ensure long term sustainability. This year's investment will leverage an additional $11 million from other partners towards new and ongoing projects, ensuring an anticipated total investment of approximately $15.5 million.

"The support we receive from the EcoAction program allows our organization to take on projects that benefit our local environment and engage local volunteers," said Margaret Redmond, President and CEO of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. "The Riverbank and Pathway Stabilization and Riparian Forest Restoration project is one of the many exciting changes underway at Assiniboine Park and we truly appreciate the support for this important initiative."

"Preserving and enhancing this natural environment - and Canada's natural environment as a whole - is something our government takes very seriously," added Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St.James-Assiniboia, Steven Fletcher.  "Manitobans and all Canadians are encouraged to incorporate environmentally friendly behaviours into their daily life."

In the previous five years, through the EcoAction program, the Government of Canada has approved more than 650 projects, and spent over $20 million on community level environmental projects across the country, demonstrating that partnerships can achieve even greater environmental protection for our communities.

For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit Environment Canada's website.

SOURCE: Environment Canada

Jennifer Kennedy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

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(Également offert en français)