Government of Canada Invests in Community Environmental Projects in the Quebec City and Chaudiere-Appalaches Regions

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 29, 2010) - Sylvie Boucher, Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women and Member of Parliament for Beauport—Limoilou, on behalf of Canada's Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, today announced funding from the EcoAction Community Funding Program for four environmental projects in the Québec City and Chaudière–Appalaches regions of Quebec. In total, $145,741 in federal funding will support local action to reduce pollution, improve air and water quality, and protect wildlife and natural habitat.

As part of the International Year of Biodiversity, MP Sylvie Boucher stated that, "The EcoAction Community Funding Program shows that it's possible to mobilize resources and people for the benefit of environmental initiatives. Through this support from the EcoAction program, we want to emphasize the fact that on-the-ground activities are essential and can contribute to conserving our environment."

"This government is committed to addressing the environmental priorities of Canadians," said Minister Prentice. "We are proud to support community groups across the country willing to take concrete action through on-the-ground environmental projects that will achieve a more sustainable Canada. Your actions, large or small, will help to protect the abundance and variety of life that is part of our natural heritage."

In the Québec City region, Environment Canada contributed to the project, entitled Concrete action in the Beauport River Basin and creation of a best practices guide for taking action, which is being undertaken by the Groupe d'Éducation et d'Écosurveillance de l'Eau. The purpose of this project is to restore the banks of a river and the wildlife habitats at a former landfill site in the Laurentians community of the borough of Beauport. This project will be completed with the participation of primary-school and college students. In addition, outreach and education workshops on biodiversity will be given to the students of two primary schools.

"The action project in the Beauport River Basin will make it possible to educate and involve the adults of tomorrow, starting today, in order to improve the environment," pointed out Nathalie Piedboeuf, Director of the Groupe d'Éducation et d'Écosurveillance de l'Eau. The best practices guide that will result from this initiative, which will be available online, will serve to share these assets and ensure their continued existence."

The EcoAction Community Funding Program is a Government of Canada initiative that supports projects that rehabilitate, protect or enhance the natural environment, and builds the capacity of communities and individuals in support of a more sustainable Canada. The four projects announced today will assist locally based, non-profit organizations in initiating actions that result in cleaner air, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner water, and the protection of nature at the local community level.

More information about the EcoAction Community Funding Program is available on Environment Canada's website, at http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.

For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Web site of Environment Canada, at http://www.ec.gc.ca/.

(Également offert en français)