DARTMOUTH, NS, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadians want clean air and clean water for their children and grandchildren. When companies pollute our natural environment, they pay the price and the Government of Canada ensures that environmental good follows environmental harm by investing those fines in projects that benefit Canadians and their communities.
Today, Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada will invest $4,499,737 in Clean Foundation's Youth Climate Action Now (YouCAN) project.
With this funding, Clean Foundation and partners in the Atlantic provinces will engage with 70,000 youth to empower them to take climate action in their own lives and communities. Through regional, grade-appropriate climate action education, the YouCAN project will improve youth's climate awareness and understanding of climate science and solutions. A key pillar of this project will be to provide professional learning to 2,000 educators and give them tools to support youth in their climate action initiatives.
The Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund is the source of funding for this project under its Climate Action and Awareness Fund. The Climate Action and Awareness Fund was created from the $196.5-million fine paid by Volkswagen for circumventing Canada's environmental protection rules, the largest environmental fine in Canadian history.
The Climate Action and Awareness Fund is investing $37.8 million in climate change projects for youth across Canada. These projects will engage and empower youth to take real climate action in their communities and help Canada meet our target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Quotes
"Young Canadians are at the heart of our approach to creating a healthier future and building a cleaner economy. With the tools acquired through this important project, youth will continue to be leaders in the fight against climate change and the preservation of healthy ecosystems in their communities across the country."
? Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour
"Climate education is imperative for the next generation of Canadians to understand the science and solutions behind the global climate change challenge that will greatly affect them in their lifetime. YouCAN's collaborative regional approach to climate education allows local issues with local solutions to be highlighted, creating momentum across the Atlantic provinces on climate education programming, while connecting youth with opportunities to get involved in their communities."
? Shannon Harding, Director, Education and Engagement, Clean Foundation
Quick facts
Associated links
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
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