Nearly $4.4 million available for projects in Quebec that will reduce air pollution from transportation by improving urban mobility

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Canadians value a safe and clean environment. When companies pollute the natural environment, they pay the price. The Government of Canada ensures that environmental good follows environmental harm by investing those fines in projects that benefit the environment.

Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the department is now accepting applications for nearly $4.4 million in funding through the Environmental Damages Fund to support projects in the province of Quebec that will help reduce transportation-related air pollution.

The objective of this call for proposals is to support projects that will reduce transportation-related air pollution by improving urban mobility and by supporting active transportation in the province of Quebec.

This initiative complements the Government of Canada's commitment to take action to increase active transportation across the country through the first National Active Transportation Strategy.

This call for proposals is another step in reducing transportation-related air pollution while providing safe and inviting options for people living in Quebec to walk, bike, run, or use any human-powered or hybrid mobility aids for work and play. Applicants can apply until December 6, 2023, and must request a minimum of $250,000 to be eligible.

"With this fund, we are using fines paid by bad environmental actors to support the efforts of those who work to protect and improve Canada's environment. Supporting active transportation and urban mobility projects not only reduces transportation-related air pollution, it will also help move us closer to our net-zero emissions goals, while providing safe and inviting options for the community to work and play."
? The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

• The total funding available for this call for proposals is $4,393,140.
• Active transportation includes walking, cycling, and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and more. Urban mobility refers to a person's ability to move around the city where they live and work.
• The funding available for this call for proposals is part of the settlement agreement for the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique v. Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. et al., class action lawsuit, which was approved by the Superior Court of Québec on June 16, 2022.
• Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government of Canada account administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada with a specified purpose. The Environmental Damages Fund is an effective and innovative mechanism to direct funds received from fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit Canada's natural environment.

• Environmental Damages Fund
• Environmental Damages Fund: Available Funds and Application Process
• Court decision (available in French only)

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada