News Releases and Statements Archives

2007

December

• Government of Canada Helps Republic of Korea Clean Up Major Oil Spill

  OTTAWA, Ontario, December 29 2007 - The Government of Canada is providing assistance to the Republic of Korea following a request on December 23 from the South Korean government over a recent oil spill on the country?s west coast.

• Autumn 2007 Was Warmer and Wetter than Normal

  Ottawa, December 18, 2007 – The autumn of 2007 in Canada was neither the warmest nor wettest on record but was still warmer and wetter than normal.

• Canada Calls New UN Agreement an Important First Step

  NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONESIA – Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, stated Saturday after the conclusion of the United Nations Climate Change Conference that he was pleased to see the world sign on to a new international agreement that acknowledged all countries must play a role.

• Canada Demonstrates Commitment to UN Clean Development Mechanism

  NUSA DUA, BALI, Indonesia (December 13, 2007) – Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, announced today that the Government of Canada will contribute US $1.5 million to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This mechanism allows the private sector earn emissions reduction credits when investing in climate-friendly projects in developing countries.

• Government of Canada Gets Tough on Climate Change: Orders Industry to Submit Air Emissions Information

  NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONESIA, DECEMBER 12, 2007 – Canada took a major step forward in its plan to enforce tough new regulations on industry to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions today. The Government announced it has formally advised industry of new requirements to submit air emissions data to the Government of Canada within the next six months.

• Canada Supports UN Principles for New Climate Change Deal

  NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONESIA, December 10, 2007 – Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, met today with Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Minister Baird emphasized Canada’s support for the UN’s efforts to reach agreement on a process for a new global climate change deal post-2012.

• Canada Leading by Example : Baird Announces New Funding for Adaptation on Climate Change

  NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONESIA, December 10, 2007 -- Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, took action today at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Indonesia.  Canada will invest $85.9 million over four years to help Canadians respond to climate change.  Minister Baird was joined at the announcement by Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and one of Canada’s Eminent Advisors to the Minister.

• CanadaTakes Action to Help Developing Countries Fight Climate Change

  Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia (December 10, 2007) -- Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, announced today that Canada will be making a major contribution to the Global Environment Facility’s Special Climate Change Fund. With this new $7.5 million contribution, Canada's total contribution to the Special Climate Change Fund is $13.5 million. This makes Canada the second largest donor to the Fund which helps developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

• Baird and Eminent Advisors to Chart Canada’s Course at UN Climate Change Conference

  OTTAWA, December 3, 2007 –Canada ’s Environment Minister, John Baird, today announced the appointment of an advisory panel of eminent Canadians to provide advice and assistance at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Indonesia.

Top of Page

November

• Courtenay Resident Charged with Hunting Swans out of Season and Unsafe Firearm Storage and Transport

  Courtenay, BC – November 30, 2007 – Donald Hughes of Courtenay, British Columbia, was charged today by federal Wildlife Officers of Environment Canada’s Wildlife Enforcement Division with violating the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Criminal Code of Canada.

• UN Ranks Canada in Top 5 Best Places to Live – Canada Continues to Deliver Leadership on Climate Change

  OTTAWA, November 27, 2007 – Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today issued the following statement on the release of the United Nations Development Program's Report 2007/2008 - Climate Change and Human Development.

• The Government of Canada Acts to Protect Important Land Under the New Natural Areas Conservation Program

  ESSEX COUNTY, Ontario, November 25, 2007 ? Canada?s Environment Minister John Baird, and Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex, today joined representatives from the Nature Conservancy of Canada and residents of Pelee Island in announcing one of the first achievements under the Government of Canada?s $225 million Natural Areas Conservation Program ? the future conservation of globally significant habitat on the renowned Pelee Island in southwestern Ontario.

• Canada’s Environment Minister Meets with Indonesian Special Envoy on Climate Change

  Ottawa, November 22, 2007 – Canada’s Environment Minister John Baird, met earlier today with the Indonesian Special Envoy for Climate Change, Ambassador Soemadi Brotodiningrat, to discuss key issues at the upcoming United Nations Conference on Climate Change. Indonesia is the host country of the conference.

• Government of Canada Takes Landmark Action to Conserve Canada’s North

  OTTAWA, ONTARIO, NOVEMBER 21, 2007 – The Government of Canada has taken yet another major step to protect and conserve Canada’s north by announcing the withdrawal of over 10 million hectares of land, one of the largest land conservation initiatives in Canadian history near the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, and around the Ramparts River and Wetlands, both in the Northwest Territories.

• Canada's Environment Minister Welcomes the Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

  Ottawa, November 17, 2007 - Canada's Environment Minister John Baird today congratulated the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the release of its fourth and final report, covering key aspects of global climate change.

• Government of Canada Supports Community Environment Projects

  ST. JOHN’S, NL, November 14, 2007 -– The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced a contribution of $35,000 to the Conservation Corps of Newfoundland and Labrador for a Public Education and Outreach Initiative on Water Conservation and Source Contamination.

• Baird, Sweet and Wallace Deliver Action from the Government of Canada to Cleanup Hamilton Harbour

  HAMILTON, Ontario, November 9, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale and Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing $30 million towards the clean-up of contaminated sediment in Randle Reef in the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern in the Great Lakes.

• Two People Convicted and Fined for their Role in a Major International Endangered Species Smuggling Ring

  Halifax, NS, November 8, 2007 –Two Florida residents were convicted and fined in Halifax Provincial Court today for their roles in a major smuggling ring involving Queen Conch, an internationally protected marine endangered species.

• Government of Canada Taking Action to Protect the Health of the Gulf of Maine

  St. Andrews, New Brunswick, November 8, 2007 — The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced $751,000 of new funding for four initiatives of the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment as part of Canada’s Action Plan For Clean Water.

• Ministers Baird, Toews and MP Bezan Announce Government’s Additional Investment in Lake Winnipeg Cleanup

  Winnipeg, November 7, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, announced today that the Government of Canada is ramping up its support to clean up Lake Winnipeg.

Top of Page

October

• Illegal Baiting for Migratory Birds Nets Large Fines for Hunters in Newfoundland

  St. John’s, NL, October 26, 2007 – An in-depth investigation by Environment Canada’s Wildlife Enforcement Division into the illegal baiting of migratory birds and the use of electronic calls for the purpose of hunting migratory birds has resulted in convictions and fines for four New Wes Valley hunters.

• STATEMENT - Environment Minister Welcomes Report on the Global Environment

  OTTAWA , October 25, 2007 – Canada ’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable John Baird, today issued the following statement regarding the release of the United Nations Environment Program’s 4th Global Environment Outlook (GEO-4) Report.

• Encana and Partners Charged Under Canada Wildlife Act

  Medicine Hat, Alberta - October 18, 2007 - Alberta Energy Company Limited, and AEC West Ltd., (carrying on business in partnership under the style and trade name of EnCana Oil & Gas Partnership), EnCana Corporation, and EnCana Oil & Gas Company Ltd. have been charged in Alberta Provincial Court with one count under the Wildlife Area Regulations of the Canada Wildlife Act.

• Laboratory Test Results Regarding Fish Kills Announced

  DARTMOUTH, NS, October 15, 2007 – Environment Canada announced today that it has completed its testing of samples taken after fish kills at Dunk River and Tryon River, Prince Edward Island, in July 2007 and it concluded that it cannot determine the exact cause of either incident.

• Canada’s New Government Taking Action to Clean up Lake Simcoe

  JACKSON’S POINT, Ontario, October 12, 2007 –The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform announced today that the Government of Canada is investing $12 million to support the clean up of Lake Simcoe.

• New Appointments to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

  OTTAWA, October 12, 2007- The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, announced today the appointment of Robert A. Dubé, Robert Sopuck, and Donald F. MacKinnon to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). These appointments are effective immediately.

• Environment Canada Investigation into Illegal Importation of 30,000 Pieces of African Elephant Ivory Leads to Prosecution

  Richmond, British Columbia - October 12, 2007 - Yuk Ming (Peter) Ho of Richmond, British Columbia received a $9,000.00 fine yesterday after pleading guilty in Richmond Provincial Court to illegally importing over 30,000 pieces of African elephant ivory.

• Canada’s New Government to Protect Scott Islands off British Columbia’s Coast

  VANCOUVER, October 9, 2007 — Today, Mark Warawa, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, announced on behalf of the Minister, the Honourable John Baird, an investment of one million dollars to protect seabird populations on the Scott Islands off British Columbia.

Top of Page

September

• Canada Joins Major Economies to Advance Post-2012 Climate Change Agenda

  WASHINGTON D.C., September 28, 2007 – Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, today concluded two days of meetings on climate change in Washington, D.C. by stressing that for any post-2012 climate change agreement to be successful, it must include all major greenhouse gas emitting countries.

• Minister Baird Applauds Break-Up of Major Endangered Species Smuggling Ring

  OTTAWA, September 26, 2007 – Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, today released the following statement in response to news that Environment Canada enforcement officers, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries officers, have dismantled a major ring involved in the smuggling of queen conch meat, an internationally protected marine endangered species.

• Canadian and U.S. Wildlife Officers Break-Up Major Endangered Species Smuggling Ring – Record-Breaking 27 Metric Tonnes of Meat Confiscated

  Montréal, September 26, 2007 - Environment Canada’s Wildlife Enforcement Division along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries officers have dismantled a major smuggling organization of queen conch meat, an internationally protected endangered species.

• 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.

• Government of Canada Takes Action to Combat Dumping of Raw Sewage and Upgrade Sewage Treatment

  Ottawa, September 24, 2007 – Environment Minister John Baird today announced that the Government of Canada is taking action to combat the dumping of raw sewage into our lakes, rivers, and oceans, and greatly improve sewage treatment across Canada. This action will help protect the health of Canadians, and will help address the threat of blue-green algae growth.

• Canada Contributes to Major International Agreement to Protect the Ozone Layer and Tackle Climate Change

  MONTREAL, September 22, 2007- Canada's Environment Minister John Baird, is pleased to announce that countries attending the Montreal Protocol conference have reached a major agreement to speed up the phase-out of chemicals that harm the ozone layer and cause climate change.

• Duck Mortality in Lake Saint-Pierre

  Québec City, September 18, 2007 — Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service is reporting the presence of dead or dying ducks in Lake Saint-Pierre.

• Elie Tornado Upgraded to Highest Level on Damage Scale Canada’s First Official F5 Tornado

  WINNIPEG – September 18, 2007 – Environment Canada meteorologists have confirmed that the Elie, Manitoba tornado of June 22, 2007 reached F5 intensity, the highest rating on the Fujita tornado damage scale, making it the first officially documented F5 tornado in Canada.

• Canada Receives UN Award for Ozone Protection Leadership

  MONTREAL, September 17, 2007 - Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today received an award on behalf of the Government of Canada from the United Nations Environment Programme for Canada’s important contribution to making the Montreal Protocol on ozone protection a success.

• Canada’s Environment Minister Celebrates 20 Years of Progress Protecting the Ozone Layer

  MONTREAL, September 16, 2007 – Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, today marked International Ozone Day at the Biosphere in Montreal by recognizing the important work of Canadian scientists in protecting the ozone layer.

• Canada Calls for Accelerated Phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances

  Ottawa, September 14, 2007 – Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, is challenging the international community to speed up the phase-out of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer and cause climate change.

• Summer 2007 Was Warmer Than Normal Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin for Summer 2007

  Ottawa, September 14, 2007 – The summer of 2007 in Canada was not the warmest on record but temperatures were still higher than the norm.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine Importer Receives 18 Month Sentence

  TORONTO, September 13, 2007 – In a precedent-setting case, Cheung-Hon (Oliver) Mok received an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty Monday in the Ontario Court of Justice – Criminal Division to illegally importing traditional Chinese medicines containing derivatives of endangered animals and plants.

• Government of Canada Provides $625,000 to Canadian Avalanche Centre to Better Protect the Public

  REVELSTOKE, September 5, 2007 – Jim Abbott, Member of Parliament for Kootenay Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide $625,000 to the Canadian Avalanche Centre.

• Fall Season predicted to be Warmer for most of Canada

  Ottawa, September 4, 2007 – Environment Canada’s Meteorological Service predicts that much of Canada will experience above normal to normal temperatures this season, as outlined in the Fall seasonal outlook for September, October and November.

Top of Page

August

• 9112-7480 Québec Inc. Pleads Guilty to Charges under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999)

  MONTREAL, Quebec, August 27, 2007 — Environment Canada announced that 9112-7480 Québec Inc., operator of Nettoyeur Brillant in Montreal, Quebec, appeared before a judge of the Court of Quebec and entered a plea of guilty to charges under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999) and attendant Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations.

• The Government of Canada Announces Further Progress Under the Chemicals Management Plan

  OTTAWA, August 24, 2007 – The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced that industry and other stakeholders will have until December 19, 2007, to provide information on how they are safely managing and using 19 chemical substances identified as high priorities for action under the Chemicals Management Plan.

• Hunters Fined $18,000 For Hunting Offences

  Hanna, Alberta – August 22, 2007 – Lucas Pawley, of Redmond, Oregon, the sixth and final member of a party of American hunters charged with hunting offences, pleaded guilty and was fined $3,000 in Hanna Provincial Court today for exceeding the possession limit for White Fronted Geese, in violation of the Migratory Birds Regulations.

• Canadian Pacific Railway Company Sentenced in Provincial Court for Derailment of Ethylene Glycol Railcars

  Vancouver, British Columbia – August 17, 2007 –On August 15, 2007, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $50,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund for use in the area of the Port Moody arm of Burrard Inlet.

• Canada and Ontario Sign Agreement to Protect Canada’s Great Lakes

  TORONTO, Ontario, August 16, 2007 –The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Laurel Broten, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment today announced the official signing of the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.

• Environment Minister Recommends Listing 36 Species Under The Species at Risk Act

  OTTAWA, August 14, 2007 - The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, in consultation with the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced his recommendation to add 36 animals, plants and fish to the list of species protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

• Charges Laid Against Canadian National Railway in Relation to August 2005 Sodium Hydroxide Spill into the Cheakamus River

  North Vancouver, British Columbia – August 3, 2007 - Environment Canada has, as a result of a joint investigation with the British Columbia (B.C.) Conservation Officer Service, Ministry of Environment, laid charges under the Fisheries Act and the B.C. Environmental Management Act against the Canadian National Railway.

• Appointment of new President of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

  OTTAWA, August 3, 2007 – The Honorable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, announced today the appointment of Mr. David McLaughlin as President of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). Mr. McLaughlin’s appointment is effective August 8, 2007.

Top of Page

July

• Canada's New Government Invests $214 Million to Clean Up Contaminated Sites

  CFB Esquimalt, July 26, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced that the federal government will invest $214 million this year to clean up contaminated sites across Canada.

• Minister Baird Issues Statement of Concern Regarding the Oil Spill in Burnaby, BC

  The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today issued the following statement in relation to the oil spill in Burnaby, BC

• Minister Baird Offers Congratulations to New Graduates of Enforcement Training Program

  The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment today applauded 15 new graduates of Environment Canada’s Basic Enforcement Training course, hosted by Algonquin College in Ottawa.

• Official Presentation of the Red-Breasted Nuthatch Video and Collector Coin

  The Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Environment Canada are celebrating another one of Canada’s exceptional birds, the Red-Breasted Nuthatch with a special coin and video presentation at the Royal Canadian Mint’s facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

• Canada’s New Government Launches World’s First Air Quality Health Index Program

  The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today announced an investment of $30 million to establish the world’s first National Air Quality Health Index and to expand the Air Quality Forecast Program to support this new initiative.

• Hunters Fined $15,000 for Hunting Offences

  Five American hunters were fined $3000 each in Hanna Provincial Court on Wednesday June 27 for exceeding daily bag limits for White Fronted Geese, in violation of the Migratory Birds Regulations.

• New Appointments to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

  The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, announced today the appointment of Wishart Robson to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). His appointment is effective immediately.

Top of Page

June

• Minister Baird Promotes Cooperative Action on Air Pollution with the U.S. and Mexico

  OTTAWA, Ontario, June 25, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment will work with the U.S. and Mexico to take further steps on issues of common environmental concern, including air pollution, at a meeting this week (June 26-27) of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) in Morelia, Mexico.

• Cascades Fine Papers Group Inc. Pleads Guilty to Charges Under the Fisheries Act

  Québec, Quebec, June 19, 2007 — Environment Canada announced today that Cascades Fine Papers Group Inc., a division of Cascades Inc., which operates the Breakey Fibres Division mill in Levis, Quebec, appeared today before a Court of Quebec judge and pleaded guilty to charges under the Fisheries Act.

• Windsor Resident Convicted for Unlawfully Importing Coral

  WINDSOR, Ontario, June 15, 2007 – Christopher Donald Dunn of Windsor, Ontario was convicted today in the Ontario Court of Justice, Provincial Division, for unlawfully importing live coral into Canada from the U.S without a permit. Mr. Dunn was fined $615 and ordered to forfeit all Stony Corals seized from him at the Windsor border crossing.

• Minister Baird and Minister Clement Statement - Clean Air Day

  Clean Air Day is our opportunity to learn more about how we can individually take action to reduce air pollution and reduce our personal carbon footprint. It is an opportunity to think about our future and to imagine the environment we want to leave to the next generation.

• Minister Baird Highlights Importance of Global Action on World Environment Day

  OTTAWA, June 5, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, issued a statement today to mark World Environment Day. This year World Environment Day coincides with the G-8 meeting in Heiligendamm, Germany, where Minister Baird is accompanying Prime Minister Stephen Harper in discussions on the global fight against climate change.

• New Appointments to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

  OTTAWA, June 5, 2007 – The Honorable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, announced today the appointment of Francine Dorion and Richard Prokopanko to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). Their appointments are effective immediately.

• Environment Canada Presents Awards of Merit to 39 Prairie Volunteer Climate Observers

  Environment Canada will present awards and certificates to 39 people on the Prairies during Environment Week, from June 3-9, 2007, in appreciation of their services over the years as volunteer climate observers.

• Canadian Environment Week is the Perfect Time for Global Discussions on Climate Change at the G-8 Summitt in Heiligendamm Germany

  The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, kicked off this year’s Environment Week (June 3-8) by congratulating Canadians on their actions towards protecting and preserving the environment and encouraging them to stay involved.

• Environment Canada Predicts Another Warm Summer

  Ottawa, June 1, 2007 – Environment Canada today released the summer seasonal outlook for the months of June, July and August. The summer outlook predicts that much of Canada will be warmer than normal.

Top of Page

May

• Hunter Fined $10,000 for Wildlife Violations

  An American hunter has been sentenced in Provincial Court to a fine of $10,000 for three counts of violating federal wildlife conservation legislation in connection with illegally hunting waterfowl in the Cumberland Marsh area of Saskatchewan in 2003.

• Canada’s New Government Announces $4.5 Million to Protect Biological Diversity

  The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, joined by the Honourable Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced that the Government of Canada will contribute $4.5 million to the Habitat Stewardship Program to protect species at risk and the habitat where they live.

• New Appointments to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

  The Honorable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, announced today the appointments of Ms. Francine Doiron, Mr. Kerry Morash, Mr. Wishart Robson and Dr. Robert Slater to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).

• Canada's New Government Supports Clean Air and Energy Efficiency Projects in Nova Scotia with $42.5 Million from Trust Fund

  Canada’s Minister of the Environment, John Baird, joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Canada Atlantic Opportunities Agency, Peter MacKay, and Nova Scotia’s Minister of Environment and Labour Mark Parent, today announced $42.5 million in funding for Nova Scotia’s part of Canada’s $1.5 billion trust for clean air and climate change.

• Canadian Horizontal Drilling Ltd. Fined for Violation of Court Order

  Canadian Horizontal Drilling Ltd. (CHD) of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, was fined $7,500 in Alberta Provincial Court on May 4, 2007, for contravening a Sentencing Order issued under the federal Fisheries Act.

• Economic Analysis Shows Implementing Bill C-288 Would Plunge Canada Into a Recession

  The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment today reiterated the Government’s commitment to real action on the environment, but cautioned that with only eight months remaining, Canada cannot reach its 2008 to 2012 Kyoto targets, as required under Bill C-288, without intentionally manufacturing an economic recession.

• Canada’s New Government Working with Provinces and Territories on Climate Change

  The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, will meet with his provincial and territorial counterparts to discuss plans to tackle climate change and air pollution on May 28, 2007 during a meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) in Toronto, Ontario.

Top of Page

April

• Minister Baird Responds to Statements by Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore

  With respect to the comments of former United States Vice President Al Gore, the Honourable John Baird, the Minister of the Environment, made the following statement:

• Minister of the Environment Supports Canadian Lung Association in Taking Action on Pollution to Reduce Lung Disease

  Ottawa, April 27, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today expressed Canada’s New Government’s strong support for the objectives of the Canadian Lung Association’s Lung Health Framework in his closing address to the Framework’s conference.

• Leddy Exploration Ltd. Fined for Environmental Violation

  CALGARY, April 25, 2007 – Leddy Exploration Ltd. (Leddy) of Calgary, Alberta, was sentenced in Alberta Provincial Court to a fine of $2,500 and a contribution of $40,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund, after pleading guilty to one count of violating subsection 36(3) of the federal Fisheries Act, which protects fish-bearing waters from the deposit of any substance that is harmful to fish and aquatic life.

• Canada 's New Government Supports Clean Air and Energy Efficiency Projects in Prince Edward Island

  OTTAWA (Ontario), April 24, 2007 – Canada’s Minister of the Environment, John Baird today announced $15 million in funding for Prince Edward Island 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.

• Environment Minister John Baird Celebrates Earth Day

  OTTAWA, April 22, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, joined by Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada celebrated Earth Day today with students, parents and teachers of Lakeview Public School by planting new trees in the school yard.

• Canada and U.S. Move Forward to Reducing Air Pollutants

  The Honourable John Baird, Canada’s Minister of the Environment, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, announced today that Canada and the U.S. will start negotiations for an annex to the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement aimed at reducing the cross-border flow of air pollution and its impact on the health and ecosystems of Canadians and Americans.

• Canada Has No Intention of Negotiating Bulk Water Exports

  Today, Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable John Baird, made the following statement in response to recent media reports of trilateral negotiations between Canada, Mexico and the United States on bulk water exports and diversions.

• Canada Joins the International Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking

  OTTAWA, Thursday, April 12, 2007– The Honourable John Baird, Canada’s Minister of the Environment announced today that Canada is joining the international Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT). The international coalition, whose members include the U.S., Australia, India and the United Kingdom, aims to address the illegal trade of plants and animals.

• Environment Canada Investigation Into Alleged Illegal Importation of African Elephant Ivory Leads to Charges

  Vancouver, April 12, 2007 – Environment Canada has laid 4 charges against Yuk Ming HO of Richmond, British Columbia for alleged violations of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). The charges stem from an investigation by Environment Canada’s Wildlife Enforcement Division, Pacific and Yukon Region. Mr. Ho has been given notice to appear in Richmond Provincial Court on April 26, 2007.

• Official Presentation of the Hummingbird Video and Collector Coin to Celebrate National Wildlife Week

  OTTAWA, ONTARIO — April 11, 2007 —The Canadian Wildlife Federation, Environment Canada and the Royal Canadian Mint are teaming up to celebrate National Wildlife Week 2007 at the Canadian Museum of Nature on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Canada’s New Government Highlights National Wildlife Week

  OTTAWA, April 10, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, and Mr. Colin Maxwell, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Wildlife Federation, today marked National Wildlife Week, April 8-14, by calling on Canadians to help protect and conserve Canada’s abundance and variety of wildlife and the habitat that sustains them.

• New Appointments to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

  OTTAWA, April 5, 2007 – The Honorable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Angus Bruneau, Mr. Christopher Hilkene, Mr. Ken McKinnon and Dr. Robert Page to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. Their appointments have been confirmed by the Governor in Council and are effective immediately.

• Canada's New Government Supports Clean Air and Energy Efficiency Projects in 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.

• Environment Canada Study Confirms Need to Improve Consumer Battery Recovery and Recycling

  OTTAWA, CANADA, April 5 2007 – Environment Canada today released the Canadian Consumer Battery Baseline Study, which reveals that the annual number of consumer batteries discarded is increasing dramatically, releasing a growing amount of dangerous substances into our land and water.

• Canada's New Government Celebrates Milestone in the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases in Hospitals

  OTTAWA, April 2, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, joined Vicky Sharpe, CEO of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, Dusanka Filipovic, CEO of Blue-Zone Technologies and Michel Bilodeau, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) to celebrate the installation of Blue-Zone Ltd.’s patented DeltaTM technology in all of CHEO’s operating rooms.

• Canada’s New Government Provides $450,000 for Lake Winnipeg Science Research

  GIMLI, MANITOBA - April 2, 2007 – James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, on behalf of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the,Environment announced today that Environment Canada will provide $450,000 in funding over three years to the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium.

Top of Page

March

• Canada's New Government Supports Clean Air and Energy efficiency Projects in Newfoundland and Labrador

  OTTAWA, Ontario, March 30, 2007 – 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.

• Canada's New Government supports clean air and energy efficiency projects in Yukon

  OTTAWA, Ontario, March 30, 2007 – Canada’s Minister of the Environment, John Baird, joined by Premier and Minister of the Environment Dennis Fentie, today announced $5 million in funding for the Yukon 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.

• Canada’s New Government Marks World Water Day with National Water Strategy

  OTTAWA, March 22, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today marked World Water Day by promising action to improve the health and quality of Canada’s fresh water resources through the Government’s National Water Strategy.

• Canada's New Government delivering on clean air and energy efficiency projects in Nunavut

  Ottawa, Ontario, March 19, 2007 -- The Honourable John Baird, Canada's Minister of the Environment, joined by Nunavut Premier, the Honourable Paul Okalik, announced today that Canada's New Government will provide the Government of Nunavut with $5 million from the Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change.

• Miramar Hope Bay Ltd. Sentenced for Offences Related to Fuel Spill

  CAMBRIDGE BAY, Nunavut, March 16, 2007 – Miramar Hope Bay Ltd. of Vancouver has been fined $100,000 in Nunavut Territorial Court in Cambridge Bay for a violation of subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act resulting from a June 2004 spill of 19,000 litres of diesel fuel into Windy Lake, Nunavut.

• Canada's New Government Delivering on Clean Air and Energy Efficiency Projects in New Brunswick

  FREDERICTON (CNB), March 16, 2007 – The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, on behalf of The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, and joined by New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, today announced that Canada’s New Government intends to provide New Brunswick with $34 million as part of the new Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change to support provincial projects that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.

• Canada and Ontario Continue to Improve the Great Lakes

  TORONTO, Ontario, March 16, 2007 – The Governments of Canada and Ontario are building on the accomplishments of the current Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA) to continue to improve and protect the Great Lakes, their waters and their ecosystem.

• Canada Submits Progress Report on Climate Change

  OTTAWA, ONTARIO, March 15, 2007 – Canada submitted today two reports to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

• Canada's New Government Provides $1 Million for Halifax’s Point Pleasant Park Restoration

  HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, March 15, 2007 –The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced Canada’s New Government’s is contributing $1 million toward the reforestation of Point Pleasant Park in Halifax. Minister MacKay was speaking on behalf of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources.

• Canada's New Government Announces Ecotrust Funding for Northwest Territories

  Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, March 11, 2007 -- The Honourable John Baird, Canada's Minister of the Environment, joined by Northwest Territories Premier Joseph Handley, today announced that Canada's New Government intends to provide the Government of the Northwest Territories with $5 million as part of the new Canada ecoTrust, which supports provincial and territorial projects that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, smog and air pollution. The NWT may also use these funds to adapt to a changing climate.

• Canada's New Government Announces Ecotrust Funding for Manitoba

  WINNIPEG, March 3, 2007 -- The Honourable John Baird, Canada's Minister of the Environment, joined by Manitoba Premier Gary Doer today announced that Canada's New Government intends to provide Manitoba with $53.8 million as part of the new Canada ecoTrust to support provincial projects that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions smog and air pollution.

Top of Page

February

• St. John's Farmer Pleads Guilty in Environmental Enforcement Case

  ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, February 20, 2007 -- Colin Lester, a St. John's farmer, pleaded guilty in Provincial Court yesterday to charges of violating subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act. The charges resulted from a May 2005 release of liquid cattle manure from the farm's storage lagoon into the South Brook in St. John's, NL.

• Canada Participates in Global Dialogue on Climate Change

  OTTAWA, Ontario, February 15, 2007 -- The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced Canada's intention to become a member of the Legislators Forum of the G8 + 5 Climate Change Dialogue.

• Ministers Clement and Baird Take Immediate Action Towards the Safe Management of Chemicals

  OTTAWA - February 8, 2007 - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced the launch of the Challenge to Industry for the safe management of chemicals that has already begun with the Gazetting of the first list of 15 priority substances on February 3rd.

• Vancouver Resident Convicted of Illegally Hunting Migratory Birds Out of Season

  SURREY, British Columbia, February 7, 2007 -- A Vancouver resident has been convicted of hunting migratory birds out of season. The conviction follows charges laid under the Migratory Birds Regulations, made pursuant to the Migratory Birds Convention Act (1994) after an investigation by Wildlife Officers of Environment Canada's Wildlife Enforcement Division in Vancouver, B.C.

• Release of International Science Report Makes Clear that Time for Action on Climate Change Is Now

  Paris, France, February 2, 2007 -- Environment Minister John Baird stated today that he and Canada's New Government accept the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report and called on Canadians to get ready for some tough decisions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Top of Page

January

• Québec, New Brunswick and Environment Canada Wildlife Officers Put a Stop to Large-Scale Poaching Activities in the Gaspé and Northern New Brunswick regions

  POINTE-À-LA-CROIX, Québec, January 25, 2007 – Starting at 6:00 am today, wildlife protection officers from Québec's Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, New Brunswick and Environment Canada have put a stop to the illegal activities of a group of poachers active in the Gaspé and northern New Brunswick regions.

• PEI Drycleaner Pleads Guilty to Federal Environmental Charges

  CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island, January 22, 2007 – Master Cleaners (1988) Ltd., represented by owner Robert MacLauchlan, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, appeared in Provincial Court on January 18, 2007 to plead guilty to two alleged violations of the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations.

• Canada's New Government Signals Investment of $30 Million to Support Sustainable Economy in British Columbia's Spirit Bear Rainforest

  Vancouver, January 21, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today signaled that the government will proceed with a $30 million contribution to support the Conservation Investments and Incentives Initiative (CIII) fund.

• Canada's New Government Provides $2 Million for Stanley Park Restoration

  Vancouver, January 18, 2007 – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a contribution of $2 million towards the restoration of Vancouver's Stanley Park National Historic Site (NHS) of Canada.

• Canada's New Government Delivers on Commitment - Newfoundland and Labrador Weather Office Opens

  GANDER, Newfoundland and Labrador, January 9, 2007 – Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered on his promise to reinstate the Newfoundland and Labrador Weather Office in Gander today, as it issued the first public weather forecast for the province. The Weather office was officially opened by Avalon M.P. Fabian Manning on behalf of Environment Minister John Baird.

• Canada’s New Environment Minister Meets with Canadian Environmental Groups

  Vancouver, B.C. - January 9, 2007 - Federal Environment Minister John Baird will meet this afternoon with representatives from ten environmental non-governmental organizations as part of his outreach to Canada’s environmental leaders. Greenpeace Canada, Pollution Probe, Nature Canada, Équiterre, the Pembina Institute, Sierra Legal Defence Fund, Sierra Club of Canada, World Wildlife Fund and the David Suzuki Foundation are expected to participate.

Top of Page