News Release

Environment Minister John Baird Moves to Protect Environmental Programs

GATINEAU, Quebec, September 25, 2007 - Environment Minister John Baird today assured Canadians appropriate funding would be provided to priority environmental programs and services by Environment Canada.

"Like all Canadians, I care deeply about the state of our environment and this country's ability to monitor, manage and protect our precious natural resources.  Environment continues to be a top priority of this Government as demonstrated by our $38 million increase to the main budget of Environment Canada," the Minister said. "This Government is also committed to ensuring that taxpayers' hard earned dollars are invested and spent wisely and efficiently. "

"In recent days there have been a number of stories written about financial pressures within my department.  I want to assure all Canadians that priority programs related to all areas of the environment are maintained," the Minister said. "I have instructed my department to provide the financial flexibility required to programs and services in critical areas, such as the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Meteorological Service of Canada so that they are maintained, and that there are no layoffs of indeterminate staff."

"The current financial pressures come from many sources, but a major factor was the $17.1 million cut agreed to by former Environment Minister Stéphane Dion in 2005."

The Government of Canada has invested $375 million in funding for conservation programs, which is the largest investment in conservation ever.  This includes $225 million for sensitive species and ecosystems with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, $30 million for the Great Bear Rainforest, and millions for Stanley Park in Vancouver and Point Pleasant Park in Halifax.  In addition, the government announced the expansion of Nahanni National Park Reserve and Sahoyúé - ehdacho/Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories.  

"Our work helps to protect the Leatherback Sea Turtle, the Peregrine Falcon, the Woodland Caribou, and the Piping Plover.  Canadians demand that this work continues," declared Minister Baird. "We have invested an additional $110 million to protect of species at risk as well as $10 million for protected areas in the Northwest Territories."

"Canadians should make no mistake that this Government does what it says.  The environment is critical to all of us and so is the financial stability of Environment Canada," the Minister stated.

For more information, please visit www.ec.gc.ca

For further information, please contact:

Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441

Environment Canada
Media Relations
(819) 934-8008 or
1-888-908-8008