April 5, 2007

REGINA, Saskatchewan – Canada's Minister of the Environment, John Baird and Saskatchewan Environment Minister John Nilson today announced $44.4 million in funding for Saskatchewan 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.

“Canada's New Government is committed to achieving concrete results in the reduction of greenhouse gases and air pollution,” said Minister Baird. “We've demonstrated that in our budget announcements, and we're demonstrating it again today. We know that reducing emissions requires a collaborative effort. In supporting Saskatchewan's efforts, we can work together to find real solutions to Canada's environmental challenges.”

“One of the cornerstones of our Government is to advance Saskatchewanas a leader in environmental protection and the green economy,” Saskatchewan Environment Minister John Nilson said. “This funding will reduce emissions, support the province's long-term goal of deriving one-third of all energy from renewable sources and enable progress on several important projects within an overall Green Strategy.”

Saskatchewan has indicated that it will use its funding to support several provincial projects, which may include:

• Continuing development of near zero CO₂ emission electrical generation projects.
  
  
• Implementing measures to improve energy efficiency and conservation, including promotion and support for energy reduction by home owners, businesses, farms and communities.
  
  
• Development and utilization of renewable and alternative energy sources such as bio-fuels and solar energy technologies.
  
  
• Continuing to lead efforts in carbon capture and sequestration through the International Test Centre for Carbon Dioxide Capture.

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 to build a stronger, safer, better Canada.

For further information on Saskatchewan's environmental issues and programs, please visit: http://www.gov.sk.ca/priorities/environment