News Releases

2012

December

• Minister Kent to Propose a Regulatory Amendment to the Renewable Fuels Regulations

  GATINEAU, Qc. -- December 31, 2012 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, today announced his intention to propose an amendment to the Renewable Fuels Regulations that would see a permanent national exemption from the 2% renewable content requirement in home heating oil, as well as a 6-month extension to the exemption from the 2% renewable content requirement for diesel fuel for Canada’s Maritime Provinces.

• Harper Government Announces Funding to Clean Up Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour

  HAMILTON, Ont. – December 18, 2012 – The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, today confirmed the Government of Canada’s funding to clean up contaminated sediment at Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour.

• Canada Reinforces Environmental Partnership with China

  BEIJING, China –- December 14, 2012 -- Today, Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, serving as the International Executive Vice Chair for the China Council, concluded three days of co-chairing the Annual General Meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development with China’s Minister of Environmental Protection, Minister Zhou Shengxian.

• Environment Canada Reminds Canadians to Consult High-Elevation Bulletin when Travelling through British Columbia’s Mountains

  VANCOUVER, B.C. -- December 10, 2012 -- Environment Canada Meteorologists, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday travel season, briefed media on the weather tools and alerts Canadians can use to travel safely this winter.

• Environment Canada and Hamilton Port Authority Launch Randle Reef Test Project

  HAMILTON, Ont. – December 10, 2012 – Environment Canada and the Hamilton Port Authority are launching a structural test project that will provide further information to help in the development of the proposed Randle Reef sediment remediation project.

• Canada Halfway to its Copenhagen Accord Emission Target

  DOHA, Qatar – December 7, 2012 – Canada is halfway towards meeting its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 17 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020.

• Canada’s emissions historically low

  DOHA, Qatar – December 6, 2012 – Per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada are at an historic low. The latest data indicates that Canadians emitted an average of 20.3 tonnes of GHG in 2010, the lowest level since tracking began in 1990.

• Canada Invests in Climate Change Solutions in Developing Countries

  DOHA, Qatar -- December 7, 2012 -- Today, the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister, announced a number of key initiatives to support climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in developing countries.

• Harper Government takes further action to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and light trucks

  DOHA, Qatar – December 5, 2012 – The Government of Canada is taking further action to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from passenger automobiles and light trucks for 2017 and later model years.

• Canada takes action to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles

  DOHA, Qatar – December 4, 2012 – The Government of Canada has initiated proposed regulations that will improve fuel efficiency and help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2018 model year heavy-duty vehicles by up to 23% from those sold in 2010.

• Canada Appoints New Ambassador for Climate Change

  Doha, Qatar - December 3, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, today announced the appointment of Dan McDougall as Canada's chief negotiator and ambassador for climate change.

• Canada: a world leader in clean electricity generation

  DOHA, Qatar – December 3, 2012 – Canada has strengthened its position as a world leader in clean electricity production with its new tough regulations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the coal-fired electricity sector.

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November

• Harper Government Improves Fuel Efficiency of Canadian Vehicles

  OTTAWA, Ont. – November 27, 2012 – Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced proposed regulations to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of passenger automobiles and light trucks for model years 2017 to 2025.

• Capture the Holiday Spirit at the Biosphere!

  MONTRÉAL, Que. - November 14, 2012 - The Biosphere invites you to the seventh annual Recycling-Artists Eco Fair—a Christmas market in the heart of Parc Jean Drapeau - to be held from November 30 to December 2, 2012.

• “Operation Serpent” leads to Fines and Jail Time

  NEWMARKET, Ont. -- November 14, 2012 -- A joint Environment Canada and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources operation has resulted in significant penalties against two defendants convicted of the unlawful sale, exportation and inter-provincial transport of live Snakehead fish.

• Velocity Inc. and its President Fined $37,200 for Violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

  MONTRÉAL, Que. – November 7, 2012 – On October 29, 2012, Velocity Inc., in Valleyfield, Quebec, and Stéphane Poirier, its President, were fined $37,200 after pleading guilty to illegally importing 600 cylinders of a controlled substance under the Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations, 1998 (ODSR, 1998).

• Bruce Power Receives $100,000 Penalty for Environmental Violation

  WALKERTON, Ont. – November 5, 2012 – On October 29, 2012, Bruce Power Limited Partnership pleaded guilty in the Ontario Provincial Court of Justice to one count of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

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October

• Nam Bak Enterprises Limited Sentenced for Illegal Importation of Plant Species

  VANCOUVER, B.C. -- October 22, 2012 -- On October 9, 2012, Nam Bak Enterprises Limited was convicted and fined in British Columbia Provincial court for offences under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA).

• Winnipeg Man Fined Over $135,000 under Federal Wildlife Legislation

  WINNIPEG, Man. – October 22, 2012 – An Environment Canada investigation led to the sentencing last Wednesday of Jayson Daeninck and his company, Saltwater Connection, on 18 charges under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA).

• Environment Minister Meets With Members of Hunting and Angling Advisory Panel

  OTTAWA, Ont. -- October 12, 2012 -- Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, had his first meeting with members of the Hunting and Angling Advisory Panel (HAAP) on Friday, October 5, 2012.

• Government of Canada Invests in the Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative

  TORONTO, Ont. – October 9, 2012 – Today, the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister, announced an important investment over four years to address the complex problems of recurrent toxic and nuisance algae, and nearshore water quality and ecosystem health in the Great Lakes.

• Canada Releases Boreal Caribou Recovery Strategy

  OTTAWA, Ont. -- October 5, 2012 -- Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the release of the final Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Boreal population (boreal caribou).

• Harper Government Launches Phase II of Contaminated Sites Clean-up Plan

  OTTAWA, Ont. -- October 4, 2012 -- Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, and Senator Michel Rivard today announced that the Government of Canada has launched Phase II of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.

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September

• Fall Rendez-vous with Greater Snow Geese

  QUEBEC CITY, Que. – September 27, 2012 – Environment Canada invites you to the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area to witness the passage of the Greater Snow Geese, from now until October 28.

• J&A Health Food International Ltd. Sentenced for Illegal Importation of Plant Species

  RICHMOND, B.C. -- September 25, 2012 -- J&A Health Food International Ltd. pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Richmond Provincial court on September 11th on three counts for offences under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA).

• Stopping the Illegal Export of Canadian Wildlife

  OTTAWA, ON – September 21, 2012 – Environment Canada wildlife enforcement officers launched a coordinated series of interprovincial and international border inspections in the summer of 2012 to look for evidence of illegal hunting of black bear and other species. The operation took place in 29 locations throughout Canada.

• United States and Canada Sign Amended Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

  WASHINGTON, D.C. -- September 7, 2012 -- United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Canada’s Minister of the Environment Peter Kent today signed the newly amended Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement at a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C.

• Harper Government Moves Forward on Tough Rules for Coal-Fired Electricity Sector

  SASKATOON, Sask. -- September 5, 2012 -- Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced final regulations for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from coal-fired electricity generation.

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August

• Canada Half Way to Meeting 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emission Target

  OTTAWA, Ont. -- August 8, 2012 -- The honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister, today announced that Canada is half way towards meeting its 2020 greenhouse gas emission target.

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July

• Zellstoff Celgar Limited Partnership Sentenced and Fined a Total of $150,000

  CASTLEGAR, B.C. -- July 26, 2012 -- On July 25, 2012, Zellstoff Celgar Limited Partnership was sentenced in British Columbia Provincial court for offences under the Environmental Management Act. The sentencing is the result of a conviction on February 16, 2012, following an 8-day trial.

• Environment Canada and INTERPOL Work Together to Fight Wildlife Crime

  OTTAWA, Ont. -- July 26, 2012 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Minister of the Environment, announced today the signature of an agreement with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to assist with capacity building of wildlife law enforcement around the world.

• Harper Government increases protection for Canada’s water quality

  DELTA, B.C. – July 18, 2012 – Today, Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, and Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Denis Lebel, announced that the Government of Canada has established an important safeguard for the country’s water quality, by implementing Wastewater System Effluent Regulations.

• Ontario Weather Review - June 2012

  This year, summer arrived early – with the temperature dial set to “High Heat”! Throughout the province, mean temperatures were higher than the normal values by as much as 4.3 degrees Celsius. The largest variations were observed in the Far North, north of Superior, northeastern and eastern Ontario sections. For most locations, it was the warmest June since 2005 – particularly in Geraldton, north of Lake Superior, which set a mean temperature record.

• Canada-Alberta Oil Sands Monitoring Program Well Underway

  FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. -- July 16, 2012 -– Today, Canada’s Environment Minister Peter Kent, and Alberta’s Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister Diana McQueen toured several of the new oil sands monitoring stations now in place in the early stages of implementation of the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring.

• Happy Birthday Last Mountain Lake - 125 Years and Going Strong!

  SASKATOON, SK -- July 6, 2012 -- For more than 125 years, Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary has been a safe haven for more than 300 bird species and resident wildlife.

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June

• Canada encouraged by the outcomes at Rio+20 Conference on sustainable development

  RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – June 22, 2012 – Today, Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, delivered Canada’s country statement on the final day of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on sustainable development.

• Canada and United States Unveil Next Phase of the Clean Energy Dialogue

  RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- June 21, 2012 -- The Governments of Canada and the United States released the United States–Canada Clean Energy Dialogue Action Plan II today, which outlines the next phase of activities the two countries will jointly undertake to advance clean energy technologies.

• The Biosphere Launches Its Summer Season with Eight Environment-themed Exhibits

  MONTRÉAL, Que. -- June 14, 2012 -- The Biosphere environment museum is opening the season with its jam-packed summer programming featuring eight exhibitions, four science themed events, and three facilitated outdoor tours.

• Edmonton Company Fined $20,000 for Violating Federal Environmental Law

  EDMONTON, AB -- June 14,2012 -- 1073612 Alberta Ltd, operating as Edmonton Ice Box, today pleaded guilty in Edmonton Provincial Court to a federal charge laid by Environment Canada for failing to take reasonable emergency measures consistent with the protection of the environment and public safety to prevent an environmental emergency contrary to requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). The company operates as an ice arena.

• Shell Canada Ltd. is Fined $225,000 after Pleading Guilty to Federal Charges Laid by Environment Canada

  PEACE RIVER, AB -- June 12, 2012 -- Shell Canada Limited today pleaded guilty in Peace River Provincial Court to federal charges laid by Environment Canada for releasing a substance harmful to fish into fish-bearing waters. The company was fined a total of $225,000.

• Ontario Weather Review - May 2012

  May 2012 was warmer than normal for most of the province, with mean temperatures exceeding normal values by as much as 3.7 degrees Celsius. Southern Ontario even experienced a short-lived hot spell during the last week of the month, with a number of daily maximum temperature records above 30°C set on May 28.

• Canada and Saskatchewan working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

  REGINA, SK -- June 8, 2012 -- Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, and Saskatchewan’s Minister of Environment, the Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff, announced today that they are working towards an equivalency agreement on coal-fired electricity greenhouse gas regulations.

• New Research Shows Mercury Concentrations in Fish Remain Stable

  OTTAWA, ON -- June 4, 2012 -- Environment Canada scientists have published a new study showing that mercury concentrations in fish are not increasing over time.

• Harper Government Works with Aviation Industry to Increase Fuel Efficiency

  OTTAWA, On -- June 4, 2012 – the Hounourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), today announced the release of Canada’s Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation.

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May

• Canadian Hurricane Centre Ready for the 2012 Hurricane Season

  HALIFAX, N.S. -- May 24, 2012 -- Environment Canada’s Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) is encouraging Canadians to prepare for the 2012 hurricane season which officially starts on June 1st.

• Let’s Hear it for the Birds: May 25–27 at the Biosphere

  From May 25 to 27, the Biosphere environment museum invites nature lovers to attend Let’s Hear it for the Birds. This event features some half-dozen activities that highlight ornithology and the world of birds, all free of charge and suitable for all age groups.

• Peninsula Harbour Sediment Capping Project To Begin This Month

  MARATHON, ON -- May 14, 2012 -- The Governments of Canada and Ontario have joined forces in the last major step in the plan to restore Peninsula Harbour to a safe, healthy state.

• Ontario Weather Review - April 2012

  April is one of those transition months for weather that offer samples of each season – and this year was no exception.

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April

• Welcome Back the Greater Snow Geese

  QUÉBEC, Que. -- April 26, 2012 -- Environment Canada invites you to the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area to witness the passage of the Greater Snow Geese.

• Ontario Weather Review - March 2012

  Forget merely balmy...March 2012 in Ontario was so warm, with so many records being set, that traditional trips south during March break seemed almost superfluous.

• Harper Government Takes Next Step to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles

  BOUCHERVILLE, Que. -- April 13, 2012 -- Today the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister, announced proposed regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new on-road heavy-duty vehicles.

• Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Remain Steady While the Economy Grows

  TORONTO, Ont. -- April 11, 2012 -- Today, Canada’s Environment Minister Peter Kent and Parliamentary Secretary Jacques Gourde announced that Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions remained steady in 2010 while the economy grew.

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March

• Harper Government Invests in Great Lakes Clean-up

  TORONTO, Ont. -- March 22, 2012 -- Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today highlighted 46 projects that have received funding under Canada’s Great Lakes Action Plan.

• Canada and Nova Scotia Working Together to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  HALIFAX, N.S. -- March 19, 2012 -- Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, and Nova Scotia Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Sterling Belliveau, announced today that they are working towards an equivalency agreement on coal-fired electricity greenhouse gas regulations.

• Government of Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada Protect Fragile Habitat on the Acadian Peninsula, New Brunswick

  TABUSINTAC, N.B. -- March 12, 2012 -- Tilly O’Neil Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC) successful acquisition of three separate properties totalling 28 hectares of land in Tabusintac, New Brunswick, 50 kilometres north of Miramichi.

• Government of Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada protect fragile habitat on Manitoulin Island, Ontario

  MANITOULIN ISLAND, Ont. -- March 12, 2012 -- Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of a 488 hectare property near the village of Evansville, Ontario on the southern shore of Manitoulin Island.

• Ontario Weather Review - February 2012

  The pages on the calendar may keep turning, but warmer-than-normal temperatures are still with us.

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February

• Government of Canada Concludes Siloxane D5 is Not Harmful to the Environment

  OTTAWA, Ont. -- February 29, 2012 -- Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced that the Government of Canada has decided siloxane D5 is not harmful to the environment.

• Registration for the Greater Snow Goose Fall Hunt at Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

  QUÉBEC, Que. -- February 28, 2012 -- Environment Canada wishes to inform waterfowl hunters that they can register starting today for the random draw to hunt Greater Snow Geese next fall at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area.

• Government of Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada partner to conserve valuable habitat in Queens and Kings Counties, Prince Edward Island

  CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. -- February 22, 2012 -- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and MP for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Minister of the Environment, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of two properties off the coast of Prince Edward Island--the 34-hectare Governors Island, in the Hillsborough Bay area, and the 12-hectare Reynolds Island, located south of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island.

• Canada’s Environment Minister and International Partners Launch New Global Climate and Clean Air Initiative

  WASHINGTON, D.C. -- February 16, 2012 -- Today, Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, alongside United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Environment Ministers from participating countries, launched a new global initiative aimed at making rapid progress on countering climate change and improving air quality.

• Canada Joins Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves

  WASHINGTON, D.C. -- February 16, 2012 -- Today, Canada’s Environment Minister Peter Kent, following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, announced that Canada has joined the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, as part of Canada’s commitment to reducing global emissions from short-lived climate pollutants.

• Ontario Weather Review - January 2012

  In January 2012, balmy temperatures continued to reign across the province.

• Canada and Alberta Take Action to Implement World Class Monitoring System for the Oil Sands

  EDMONTON, Alta -- February 3, 2012 -- Increased air, water, land and biodiversity monitoring in the oil sands will begin this year as the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta take a major step forward in their partnership to improve environmental monitoring in the oil sands region.

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January

• Harper Government Strengthens Canada’s Weather and Warning Systems

  TORONTO, Ont. -- January 20, 2012 -- Today, the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, announced that the Harper Government is investing $78.7 million over the next five years to strengthen weather monitoring infrastructure, ensuring Canadians continued access to world-class weather, water and climate monitoring data.

• Loads of Fun at the Biosphere This Winter!

  MONTRÉAL, Que. -- January 18, 2012 -- The Biosphere, Environment Museum, is inviting families to participate in fun, educational and free activities being held over eight weekends, from January 21 to March 11, 2012, and during the spring break, from March 5 to 9.

• Conserving Habitat in Rice Lake Plains, Ontario

  HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, Ont. -- January 17, 2012 -- Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of the Hazel Bird Nature Reserve – 117 hectares of land in Hamilton Township in Northumberland County, Ontario.

• Government of Canada’s Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund supports Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

  BRADFORD, Ont. -- January 13, 2012 -- The Honourable Peter Van Loan, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent today highlighted the Government of Canada's efforts to clean up Lake Simcoe.

• Clark Builders Fined $285,000 for Release of Chlorinated Water into the North Saskatchewan River

  EDMONTON, Alta. -- January 13, 2012 -- Clark Builders was ordered to pay $285,000 in Alberta Provincial Court after pleading guilty to one count under the Fisheries Act.

• Ontario Weather Review - December 2011

  What will be remembered the most by Ontarians this month?

• Bird-watching Outings at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

  QUÉBEC, Que. –- January 5, 2012 -– Every weekend from January 7 to March 11, and during the spring break from March 5 to 9, you can discover Environment Canada’s Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, a site dedicated to biodiversity conservation.

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