No. H202/05
For release October 28, 2005

More Federal Funding Announced for Sustainable Transportation Projects

OTTAWA — Eight projects designed to contribute to a more environmentally friendly transportation system have been selected to receive funding under the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program.

Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced that the selected projects will receive funding totalling $350,000. These projects represent a range of initiatives from promoting cycling in all parts of Canada to funding a youth summit on sustainable transportation.

"The Government of Canada has long supported community-based projects that show leadership in the area of sustainable transportation," said Mr. Lapierre. "Communities that wish to reduce the impact of transportation on the environment can look to these projects to find concrete solutions."

The following organizations will receive funding under the program: Bathurst Sustainable Development, Canadian Cycling Association, Canadian Urban Transit Association, Ecology Action Centre, Environmental Action Barrie (Living Green), University of British Columbia Design Centre for Sustainability, University of British Columbia and Vivre en Ville.

"Since its introduction, the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program has consistently inspired new and innovative project ideas," added Mr. Lapierre. "I am pleased that there has been such continued interest in this program."

The Moving on Sustainable Transportation program has funded 84 projects aimed at encouraging sustainable transportation practices among Canadians since it began in 1999. Originally slated to last three years with more than $1 million to be allocated, the program was extended to 2007 in response to ongoing demand, and was provided $2.5 million in additional funding. This is the eleventh round of funding under the program.

Funding for the program was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.

Backgrounders with further information on the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program and the winning projects are included.

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BACKGROUNDER

MOVING ON SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

The successful project submissions for the eleventh round of funding under the Moving on Sustainable Transportation program are:

Bathurst Sustainable Development, Acadie-Bathurst, New Brunswick
Bathurst Sustainable Development will receive $25,000 to study the feasibility of establishing a public transit service that would connect the communities of Beresford, Petit Rocher, Petit-Rocher-Sud, Petit-Rocher-Nord, Pointe Verte, Nigadoo and Belledune to the City of Bathurst.

Canadian Cycling Association, Ottawa, Ontario
The Canadian Cycling Association will receive $65,000 to increase cycling in all parts Canada by building the capacity for communities to offer CAN-BIKE courses. The funding will increase the number of instructors, tailor the curriculum to meet local needs, help develop electronic communication tools and support course delivery through increased marketing and branding.

Canadian Urban Transit Association, Montreal, Quebec
The Canadian Urban Transit Association will receive $30,000 to host the 2006 International Youth Summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation in Montreal. Funding for the summit will raise awareness and knowledge of, and promote action on, sustainable transportation issues and land use planning among youth.

Ecology Action Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ecology Action Centre has been selected to receive $50,000 to adapt and introduce Active and Safe Routes to School programs in rural areas of the Halifax Regional Municipality. The project, called Making Tracks, has two phases. Phase one will help research the barriers and benefits of implementing an Active and Safe Routes to School program in the area. Phase two will pilot test the program at seven area schools.

Environmental Action Barrie (Living Green), Barrie, Ontario
Environmental Action Barrie (Living Green) will receive $50,000 to research and analyze the benefits and barriers, effectiveness and potential emission reductions associated with a new telecommuting centre in Barrie, Ontario. The telecommuting centre is the first of its kind in Canada. Its goal is to allow employees of firms in the Greater Toronto Area to work closer to home in a centralized location rather than having to commute long distances.

University of British Columbia Design Centre for Sustainability, Vancouver, British Columbia
The University of British Columbia Design Centre for Sustainability in Vancouver will receive $50,000 to develop a tool kit of publications, workshops, and activities. This toolkit will then be used in a "charette" or collaborative urban design round-table to find sustainable solutions and apply them to districts in the Greater Vancouver area.

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
The University of British Columbia will receive $50,000 to conduct a comprehensive study on barriers to cycling in the Greater Vancouver area. The information collected from the study will help develop policies to remove these barriers and support cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.

Vivre en Ville, Quebec City, Quebec
Vivre en Ville will receive $30,000 to implement the MultiMobile program. The program provides additional sustainable transportation options such as walking, cycling, car-pooling and car-sharing for commuters who are currently enrolled, or could potentially be involved in, an employee bus pass program in Quebec City.

October 2005

BACKGROUNDER

MOVING ON SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

The Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program is an innovative Transport Canada funding program that provides financial support to help organizations conduct projects that will produce the kinds of education, awareness and analytical tools necessary to make sustainable transportation a reality. Eligible organizations include environmental groups, community associations, academic institutions, Aboriginal organizations and business and professional associations.

The program seeks to stimulate the development of innovative methods for decreasing the impact of transportation on the environment, achieve quantifiable results and provide Canadians with practical information and tools to apply sustainable transportation thinking to their daily lives.

The MOST program fulfils a commitment made in Transport Canada's first Sustainable Development Strategy, which was tabled in Parliament in 1997. The first phase of the program began in the fiscal year 1999-2000, with more than $1 million to be allocated over three years. In response to ongoing demand, the program was recently extended to 2007 with an additional $2.5 million to be allocated over five years. To date, about $3 million has been allocated towards a variety of initiatives aimed at encouraging sustainable transportation to diverse target audiences.

The types of projects eligible for funding include:

• studies that contribute to greater understanding of sustainable transportation issues;
• initiatives to develop new and innovative sustainable transportation tools and practices;
• pilot projects that test new sustainable transportation approaches or alternatives;
• workshops and information sessions to support new sustainable transportation ideas or approaches; and
• education and outreach programs that inform Canadians about sustainable transportation.

Individual projects may receive up to a maximum of $100,000 over two 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 funding requests.

Transport Canada is committed to contributing to a lasting and environmentally friendly transportation system. Through MOST, the department 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.

October 2005