OTTAWA, Ontario – Canada's Minister of the Environment John Baird and Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Environment Clyde Jackman today announced $23 million in funding for Newfoundland and Labrador as part of a trust fund set up by Canada's New Government to support provincial and territorial projects to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. The $1.5 billion trust fund for clean air and climate change is part of the Government's recent $4.5 billion budget commitment to make real progress on important environmental issues. 

“Our new Government is committed to achieving concrete results in reducing green house gases and air pollutants.  We've demonstrated that in our budget announcements, and we're demonstrating it again today”, said Minister Baird.  “We know that reducing emissions requires a collaborative effort, which is why we've developed this trust.  With this funding, Newfoundland and Labrador will be better able to address its specific geographic and environmental challenges, and contribute to a healthier Canada.” 

“The funds will be used to assist Newfoundland and Labrador in delivering on the energy efficiency and clean energy components of our Climate Change Action Plan released in 2005,” said Minister Jackman. “In addition, the funding will indirectly contribute to the province's coming Energy Plan and will support certain principles of the planned Sustainable Development Act.”

Federal funding for Newfoundland and Labrador will be invested in initiatives that will result in measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and waste diversion. These initiatives will promote environmentally responsible resource development and support the province's work on its Climate Change Action Plan, and may result in additional greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 1.5 million tonnes per year.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will use the funding to move forward on clean-energy related projects, which may include:

• measures to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings;
• greenhouse gas reductions through enhanced waste management techniques, including methane gas recovery and utilization, and expanded composting under our Provincial Waste Management Strategy; and,
• climate change innovations funding to support energy efficiency and the reduction of green house gas production, particularly in rural and remote areas.

Canada's New Government is already delivering on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by taking tangible steps with initiatives in the energy and transportation sectors such as ecoEnergy and ecoTransport, and by committing to implement aggressive regulations to reduce emissions in all sectors. The provincial and territorial initiatives supported byCanada's New Government's trust fund for clean air and climate change will complement those efforts.

As announced, resources for the trust will consist of $1.5 billion of new funding on a national basis. This funding is a part of the actions being taken by Canada's New Government in its plan to build a stronger, safer, better Canada.  The funding will also play a part in the Government's action on the fiscal imbalance.