No. H 140/08
For release - June 4, 2008
Content revised June 5, 2008
Photo(s)

Government of Canada Invests in Sustainable Transportation in Quebec

GATINEAU — The Government of Canada will invest in a project that supports environmentally friendly transportation in Quebec, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, announced today. The announcement was made on Clean Air Day, which is being celebrated during Environment Week.

The project, which is organized by Vélo-route trans-Québec of Gatineau, will receive a contribution of up to $30,000 under the Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program. It will aim to increase the use of bicycles by commuters from June 1 to September 22, 2008. A public awareness campaign will use print and broadcast media to encourage participation. The project will target not only employees travelling to work but also students at post-secondary colleges and universities, as well as those living in rural areas.

"The MOST program provides Canadians with practical ways to help reduce the impact of transportation on the environment," said Minister Cannon. "Vélo-route trans-Québec's project is a good example of concrete action people can take to improve our environment."

The purpose of MOST is to provide Canadians with practical information and opportunities to better incorporate sustainable transportation options into their daily lives. Through MOST, the government is helping find ways to meet today's transportation needs while protecting the environment for future generations of Canadians.

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for all Canadians. This principle is the cornerstone of the government's "Turning the Corner" action plan to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution, as well as many other environmental priorities, including environmental enforcement, water conservation and reduction of pollution and waste.

A backgrounder with further information on the MOST program and a list of projects selected for funding are attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

MOVING ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

The Moving on Sustainable Transportation (MOST) initiative is an innovative Transport Canada funding program that provides financial assistance to organizations in support of projects that will help make sustainable transportation a reality in Canada. Eligible organizations include environmental groups, community associations, academic institutions, aboriginal organizations, and business and professional associations.

The program aims to achieve quantifiable results by providing Canadians with practical information and tools to incorporate sustainable transportation options into their daily lives. The program also promotes the development of innovative methods to decrease the impact of transportation on the environment.

The types of projects eligible for funding include:

• studies, analyses or plans that make recommendations on sustainable transportation issues and initiatives;
• development of new and innovative sustainable transportation tools;
• small-scale pilot projects or demonstration projects that test new sustainable transportation approaches or alternatives;
• replication of successful sustainable transportation initiatives in additional communities while customizing project details to the new location; and
• workshops and conferences that educate stakeholders (professionals employed in the field, or managers and staff of sustainable transportation projects) on sustainable transportation.

Individual projects may receive up to a maximum of $150,000 over three years. In keeping with the Government of Canada's commitment to partnership, applicants must also demonstrate that 50 per cent of their eligible net costs are provided by other sources.

Project proposals are screened against detailed eligibility criteria. Proposals that meet the initial requirements are sent to an independent advisory committee for further review and recommendations. Transport Canada makes the final decision on the allocation of funding.

Transport Canada is committed to contributing to a lasting and environmentally friendly transportation system. Through MOST, the Government of Canada is helping to find ways to meet today's transportation needs while protecting the environment for future generations of Canadians.

For more information, visit Transport Canada's MOST website at www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/most/menu.htm.

June 2008

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BACKGROUNDER

PROJECTS FUNDED ACROSS CANADA UNDER THE MOVING ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION (MOST) PROGRAM

The University of British Columbia Design Centre for Sustainability in Vancouver will receive a contribution of up to $75,000 for a project that will focus on the economic impact of integrated sustainable community design for a region composed of several municipalities. This research could have practical applications for other municipalities and regional authorities.

The Groupe de recherche appliquée en macroécologie in Lachine, Quebec, will receive a contribution of up to $75,000 for a project study of pricing mechanisms and a cost-benefit analysis of sustainable transportation. The study's modelling activities could have practical applications across the country.

Vivre en Ville in Quebec City will receive a contribution of up to $85,000 for a project that focuses on developing a transportation demand management study for the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The project will address a need that is currently not being met and unite the majority of partners needed to realize such a strategy.

The Clean Air Partnership in Toronto will receive a contribution of up to $37,500 for a project that will analyze the economic impact of bicycle lanes in an urban setting.

Environment Hamilton Inc. in Hamilton, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for a project that will use an innovative marketing plan of incentives provided by local attractions to encourage families to use transit and could provide a model for marketing transit services and creating new ridership.

The Clean Nova Scotia Foundation in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, will receive a contribution of up to $100,000 for a project that will apply transportation demand management principles to both urban and rural community colleges. Transportation demand management is rarely used outside urban settings and could serve as a model for other large institutions or employers outside a normal urban setting.

Cowichan Recyclists in Duncan, British Columbia, will receive a contribution of up to $6,000 for a small-scale community pilot project that will make bicycles with trailers available to a predominantly aboriginal community.

Ecology Action Drive in Halifax, Nova Scotia, will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for a project to expand the role of Active and Safe Routes to School to include safety education for multiple modes of travel. The project could be used as a model for other similar programs.

Pedal Energy Development Alternatives (PEDAL) in Vancouver will receive a contribution of up to $100,000 for a project that will focus on the use of bicycles by students in elementary school.

Road Map 2020: Working Toward a Sustainable Saskatoon Inc. in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, will receive a contribution of up to $75,000 for a pilot study of several initiatives in one neighbourhood. The goal is to study the impact of intensive activity in a single area, as well as of individual project activities.

Clean Air Champions in Ottawa will receive a contribution of up to $100,000 for a project that will expand the delivery of the Clean Air Achievers project and its use of trip-tracking software, including translating program materials into French so the project can be delivered in Quebec.

EnviroCentre in Ottawa will receive a contribution of up to $35,000 for a project that unites several underused projects and attempts to address a need currently not being met in the area.

Équiterre in Montreal will receive up to $100,000 for a project called "Je m'active dans mon quartier," that will raise awareness among Montreal-area citizens and socio-economic actors about the benefits of active transportation (walking and biking) and public transit. The project is also aimed at encouraging individuals to shop within their communities, and above all, take action in that regard.

The Atlantic Canada chapter of the Sierra Club of Canada will receive a contribution of up to $40,000 for a project to provide bicycle repair services to users of BikeShare, an organization in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, that makes bicycles available for use on a short-term basis.

Vélo-route trans-Québec in Gatineau, Quebec, will receive a contribution of up to $30,000 for a project to expand the delivery of a successful project previously funded by MOST. The project will encourage people to cycle to work from June 1 to September 22, 2008, and will also target students at post-secondary colleges and universities, as well as those living in rural areas.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for a project that provides youths with comprehensive and in-depth information on sustainable transportation and land use planning at the start of their careers.

June 2008