Canadian Environment Week, June 4-10, 2006

A Message from the Minister

As Canada’s Environment Minister, it gives me great pleasure to personally encourage your participation in the 35th celebration of Canadian Environment Week (E-Week), which takes place from June 4 to 10, 2006, to coincide with World Environment Day (June 5). The theme for E-Week 2006 is “Taking Action for Our Environment” and its goal is to reinforce the importance of individual actions to protect and conserve the Environment.

Ensuring that our communities and families thrive in a healthy environment is everyone’s responsibility, and I encourage all Canadians to inform themselves and to participate in the numerous activities occurring during E-Week.

Action taken by you, your family, your friends and your colleagues will benefit our ecosystems, our health and our economy for years to come. I hope you will continue your commitments throughout the year as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Yours truly,

The Honourable Rona Ambrose,
Minister of the Environment

Taking Action for our Environment

Canada is the second-largest country on earth, and among the richest in natural capital. Our land is vast and fertile, and our lakes and rivers contain much of the world ’s renewable water supply.

For 35 years now, Canadian Environment Week has encouraged Canadians to celebrate this environmental legacy by adopting a greener lifestyle. Across the country, thousands of events are held in communities, workplaces, and schools to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote activities aimed at preserving, protecting, and restoring our environment.

Canadian Environment Week is held during the first week of June to coincide with World Environment Day (June 5). This special day was designated by the United Nations in 1972 to stimulate political action on the environment and empower people from every corner of the globe to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development.

Environment Week activities run the gamut from street rallies, bicycle parades, nature walks, and green concerts to tree planting, clean-up campaigns, essay and poster contests, round-table discussions, presentations, and much more.

Clean Air Day (June 7)

Clean Air Day (June 7) is held annually on the Wednesday of Environment Week, and was proclaimed by the Government of Canada to increase public awareness and action on clean air. Canadians can show their commitment by participating in individual or community activities that help you use less energy, reduce waste, and make smart consumer choices.

The Commuter Challenge (June 4-10)

The Commuter Challenge (June 4-10), is a transportation based event in which individuals, communities and organizations compete to cut their emissions of harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Just register on the Commuter Challenge web site and then use a sustainable form of transportation like, walking, cycling, in-line skating, carpooling or taking public transit.

Individual efforts are recorded on-line, where running tallies track your emissions saved as compared to using a single-occupant vehicle . With sustainable transportation everyone is a winner -- it can save you fuel and money, reduce traffic congestion, contribute to your personal fitness, and improve the quality of life in our communities.

Canadian Environment Awards Gala (June 5)

Every step we take as individuals adds up to big benefits for our environment. But some Canadians go above and beyond in their efforts to make a difference. These exceptional people are honoured at the Canadian Environment Awards (June 5), a special reception, dinner, and ceremony for the finalists of the awards. This year’s gala will be held in the Crystal Pavilion of the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Do your part for our future by picking up some new environmentally friendly habits during Canadian Environment Week.