Communities Making a Difference: Minister Dion Meets With Representatives of One-Tonne Community Challenges

OTTAWA, November 3, 2004 – The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, welcomed representatives from communities and organizations across Canada to a One-Tonne Challenge workshop taking place in Ottawa over the next two days by recognizing the critical role they will play in helping to educate and engage Canadians across the country in reducing climate change emissions.

These community representatives are receiving financial support, as well as tools, information and networking opportunities to support them in implementing local One-Tonne Challenges in their communities over the next two years.

The One-Tonne Challenge is a Government of Canada initiative that calls on individual Canadians to take action on climate change and clean air by reducing their annual greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by one tonne. On average, individual Canadians produce five tonnes of GHGs each year; one tonne is a reduction of about 20 per cent.

“Environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility, but education is a prerequisite to effective action,” said Minister Dion. “Community Challenges will help citizens understand that the decisions they make every day as consumers play a critical role in reaching our climate change goals and engage them in building healthier, sustainable communities.”

“To effectively respond to climate change and make a real difference, we have to pool our resources and share our knowledge,” said the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, who with Minister Dion leads the One-Tonne Challenge for the Government of Canada. “The Community Challenge Workshop is an excellent way to learn about what works in other communities and begin to put the best ideas in place throughout the country. I wish all the participants the best of success.”

Minister Dion announced that Community Challenge groups will be aided by a new database of energy-efficiency incentives and rebates on both the Government of Canada’s Climate Change and One-Tonne Challenge Web sites, designed to encourage consumers to include energy efficiency in their renovation and purchase decisions. Developed by the Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development, with support from the Government of Canada, the database will also be accessible from the Pembina site.

All Canadians looking for ways to meet the One-Tonne Challenge on climate change now have access to a complete listing of energy efficiency incentives and rebates offered by governments, utilities and the private sector.

One-Tonne Community Challenge workshop participants will discuss the most effective ways to encourage individuals in their communities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and provide them with easy access to helpful information, programs, services and tools.

For more information on the One-Tonne Challenge, please consult the Government of Canada Climate Change Web site at: www.climatechange.gc.ca/onetonne/english.

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