Press Release

CANADA AND QUEBEC TO FUND 14 ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

QUEBEC, August 3, 2006 – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Canada’s Environment Minister, together with Claude Béchard, Quebec’s Minister of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, today announced that a total of $333,165 will be provided as part of the Community Interaction Program that supports local community groups who are implementing 14 environmental projects for the protection of the St. Lawrence River.

“Environment Canada contributes to the funding of concrete conservation projects, public awareness, and the improvement of the St. Lawrence, its shores and habitats. The commitment and untiring efforts of riverside communities dedicated to conserving this important ecosystem tie in perfectly with Canada’s environmental objectives to improve air and water quality,” stated Minister Ambrose. “These initiatives are an excellent example of local people working hard for the sake of their environment. We are pleased to encourage them by offering financial support to some of their projects,” she added.

“With this financial contribution, the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs du Québec is supporting concrete projects aimed at conserving and improving the St. Lawrence. As well as encouraging the involvement of communities along the river to help protect this important ecosystem, these projects promote responsible management of resources and stimulate economic and regional development. Carrying out these promising projects shows that the level of awareness and participation of local groups is essential to improving both quality of life and sustainable development,” stated Minister Béchard.

Aimed at protecting the St. Lawrence ecosystem, the Community Interaction Program brings together the governments of Canada and Quebec, offering technical and financial support to develop environmental projects proposed by local communities. This Program is intended to support, first and foremost, the fulfillment of community projects inspired by serious problems in their region – projects such as those defined within Ecological Rehabilitation Action Plans (ERAPs).

Projects which will be developed thanks to this Program bear witness to the considerable effort, undertaken within the diverse sectors along the St. Lawrence, to counteract the many environmental problems.

For more information on completed activities and the results achieved with the help of the Community Interaction Program, we invite you to visit this website: http://www.planstlaurent.qc.ca

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