Canada Celebrates Clean Air Day

OTTAWA, ON -- June 4, 2008 -- Canada's Environment and Health Ministers, John Baird and Tony Clement today delivered a Clean Air Day message by encouraging Canadians to do their part for Canada's environment, and highlighting the measures being taken by the Government of Canada.

"The Government of Canada is serious about cleaning up the air we breathe and improving the health of our environment," said Minister Baird.  "We have shown responsible leadership with ourTurning the Corner Plan that will cut industrial air pollution by up to 50% by 2015. As we take the time to celebrate Clean Air Day I urge Canadians to reflect on what they can do to make a difference in the quality of the air that we breathe and the health of our environment." 

"Canadians expect leadership from their Government on clean air, and we are taking action," said Minister Clement. In the last two years we've invested in the world's first Air Quality Health Index, expanded Canada's Air Quality Forecast Program and partnered with the Canadian Lung Association to develop a national action plan to prevent and manage respiratory diseases in Canada."  

The Government has taken a leadership role to improve air quality with examples like its  Turning the Corner Plan,and investing an additional $30 million in Canada's Air Quality Health Index pilot program.  The Air Quality Health Index is the first of its kind in the world and gives Canadians the tools they need to better understand the quality of the air they breathe and information on what they can do to reduce its harmful impacts to their health.

Along with these actions the Government is also undertaking measures like the Tax Credit for Public Transit Passes, proposing limits on smog-producing chemicals in everyday products such as paints, varnishes and adhesives, and many ecoEnergy and ecoTranport programs to help Canadians make a difference. 

"Governments can't do it alone, and that's why on Clean Air Day, we are encouraging Canadians to make a real difference," concluded Ministers Baird and Clement.  "By changing to how we commute to work, heat and cool our homes we can all take action to help improve the air we breathe."

For more information on activities taking place in your community this week, visit the Community Calendar available on Environment Canada's website www.ec.gc.ca.

For more information on the Government's initiatives to tackle climate change and air pollution, please visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

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

Relations avec les médias
Environnement Canada
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008

Laryssa Waler
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Federal Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Health Canada Media Relations
613-957-2983