Government of Canada announces new funding for community action on climate change

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Climate change is affecting communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast across Canada, and all Canadians can be part of the solution. Non-profit community groups play an important role in helping secure a greener, healthier and more prosperous future for Canadians.

Today, Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to  the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, announced on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, over $4 million in new funding for 66 new EcoAction projects across Canada. The funding will support local action at the community level to help fight climate change and ensure Canadian families enjoy a clean and healthy environment.

Taking strong action on climate change is a priority for the government. The EcoAction Community Funding Program focuses on climate change activities, and it supports projects that address clean air, clean water, and nature.

These EcoAction projects offer a range of actions Canadians can take to make a positive difference in their communities and tackle climate change. Projects like the pollinator gardens being established by the Tsleil-Waututh and the Squamish First Nations and Loutet Farms in North Vancouver support honey bees and other local pollinators and provide food for other species.

This funding supports projects that show the positive impact community-driven partnerships can have on our environment. They show what can happen when Canadians come together to protect our environment, and fight the effects of climate change for our future generations.

Quotes

"Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and all Canadians can be part of the solution. Our government's EcoAction Community Funding Program supports tangible, local action to help Canadian families enjoy a clean and healthy environment. By supporting projects like this pollinator garden, our government is helping the people of North Vancouver make our community cleaner and stronger now and for the future."
? Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver

"Climate action starts at home. By investing in community projects that support clean air and water and protect nature, our Government is helping Canadians tackle climate change right where they live, work and play. This funding is an investment in a cleaner, greener Canada today, and in a healthy environment for future generations of Canadians."
? Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• This year alone ? the funded projects are expected to reach an estimated 325,000 Canadians and reduce GHG emissions by 23,626 tonnes of across Canada. That is equivalent to taking 4,991 cars the road for one year.
• In 2015 and 2016, EcoAction-funded projects reduced water consumption by 1 264 705 litres.
• Since 1995, EcoAction has approved $111 million in funding for 3091 projects that engage Canadians in direct environmental activities. 
• From 2010 to 2016, EcoAction helped engage over 2.5 million Canadians in environmental activities.

Related product

The Government of Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program

Associated link      

EcoAction Community Funding Program

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada