March 19, 2007

Ottawa, Ontario -- The Honourable John Baird, Canada's Minister of the Environment, joined by Nunavut Premier, the Honourable Paul Okalik, announced today that Canada's New Government will provide the Government of Nunavut with $5 million from the Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change, which supports provincial and territorial projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, smog and air pollution.

"Canada's New Government is investing to protect all Canadians from the consequences of climate change, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.  Today's announcement recognizes the important work already being done in Nunavut to reduce the territory's reliance on fossil fuels for all its energy needs," said Minister Baird.

“The North is especially sensitive to climate change and our traditional Inuit culture is being challenged as a result. We are pleased to join the federal government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nunavummiut are ready to take a leadership role in implementing solutions and we will begin with a ban on incandescent light bulbs,” said Okalik.   

Nunavut's funding under the Canada ecoTrust will be combined with existing and new territorial initiatives to enhance energy conservation and efficiency and diversify the energy system towards alternative and emerging technologies.

The Government of Nunavut has indicated it will use Canada ecoTrust funding to move forward on several projects, which may include:

• A program to promote the adoption of energy efficient lighting in public and private housing, businesses and government offices, in tandem with a ban on incandescent light bulbs, which will result in an annual reduction of 1,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide or equivalent;
  
  
• a homeowner incentive program that encourages energy efficiency and conservation; and
  
  
• new construction, expansion or rebuilding residual heating systems in eight communities. These systems recover heat from diesel electricity generating plants that is piped to nearby buildings. 

The Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change is designed to allow each province and territory to develop technology, energy efficiency, and other projects that will provide real results. The Government of Canada will work with all provinces and territories to fully develop this new, national fund.

Canada's New Government is already taking concrete action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by committing to implement aggressive regulations to reduce emissions in all industrial sectors and bring in new initiatives in the energy and transportation sectors. Nunavut's ongoing and new initiatives, supported by the Canada ecoTrust, will complement those efforts.

The Canada ecoTrust will be established using part of the anticipated 2006-07 budgetary surplus. Resources for the Canada ecoTrust initiative will consist of $1.5 billion of new funding on a national basis. This funding will be contained in the upcoming budget and is a part of the actions being taken on the fiscal imbalance. This new funding will be available as soon as Parliament approves the budget.