Minister Stewart announces $1.9 million in Action 21 funding for environmental projects across Canada

OTTAWA - April 22, 1998 -- Environment Minister Christine Stewart today marked Earth Day 1998 with the announcement of $1,914,355 in funding for 63 community-based environmental projects across Canada.

The projects range from car pools in British Columbia, to conserving endangered and threatened birds in Ontario and to reducing bacterial levels in streams in New Brunswick.

"As we celebrate local environmental action across the country on Earth Day, I would like to congratulate all these community groups and wish them well in their environmental projects," said Minister Stewart. "This week also marks National Volunteer Week, so I would also like to recognize the many volunteers who take part in projects and who dedicate their time and efforts to environmental causes."

The community projects are funded through Action 21, a $10-million program which provides grants to non-profit groups to undertake environmental projects and build public awareness of issues such as climate change, nature, clean air and clean water. Under the community funding component of Action 21, eligible projects must have matching funding or in-kind support from other sponsors, respond to community needs and demonstrate measurable environmental benefits. Funding deadlines for the program are the first of February, May and October.

Backgrounders providing brief descriptions of projects recently approved for funding in each province are available upon request.

Related documents:

• Action 21 [backgrounder, 22 Apr 1998]