Government of Canada
2002/--
March 8, 2002

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES $883,000 IN NEW FUNDING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MUSEUM EXHIBITS AND ACTIVITIES

VANCOUVER - A new round of funding for museum exhibits and outreach programs will bring the message about climate change to an even wider audience. Natural Resources Canada Minister Herb Dhaliwal and Environment Minister David Anderson today announced Government of Canada funding of $882,379 for nine new exhibits and programs for museums and educational organizations across the country.

"Canadians are concerned about climate change. They want to know more about the impacts for Canada, and what they can do as individuals," said Minister Anderson at an event at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. "Museums like the MacMillan Space Centre can play an important role in educating Canadians, by presenting climate change information in an interesting, engaging way."

Nine museum projects will receive $882,379 in funding from the Public Education and Outreach (PEO) component of the Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF), bringing the number of exhibits funded by the CCAF to 21. To date, the Government of Canada, through the CCAF, has committed more than $19.8 million to 178 PEO projects. Financial and in-kind support for the projects has also come from provincial and local governments, other museums and educational institutions, foundations, business and industry.

"Climate change is a global challenge that requires local solutions. Projects like this one help us all to understand the worldwide impact of a changing climate." said Minister Dhaliwal. "We are already seeing the impacts of our changing climate here in B.C. These exhibits and programs will help to educate all of us on how to take real action."

The initial $150-million CCAF was introduced in the 1998 federal budget. It was extended for three years with an additional $150 million in the 2000 federal budget. The Government of Canada established the CCAF to take concrete steps to engage Canadians, non-governmental organizations, businesses, universities, communities and various levels of government in partnerships to promote climate change understanding, action and adaptation.

The PEO component funds projects that increase public awareness and understanding of climate change and provide Canadians with the information they need to take action.

For further information, please contact:

Kelly Morgan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Environment
(819) 997-1441

Heather Bala
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada
(613) 996-7252

The following media backgrounder is also available:

1. Climate Change Action Fund Public Education and Outreach