Senator Downe calls on Federal Government to Allocate Climate Change Crisis Funding to Prince Edward Island

January 24, 2008

“Prince Edward Island should be identified as a priority in the Government of Canada’s funding initiative to take action against the climate change crisis,” says Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe.

Growing criticism of the Government of Canada’s unwillingness to take action on the environment has prompted an announcement of federal funding over the next four years to help Canadians prepare for the impacts of the climate change crisis.

As part of the recently announced program, Environment Canada will be responsible for $15 million allocated to improve climate change scenarios which will help protect the health and property of Canadians, as well as assist communities in their emergency preparedness planning.

The Department of Natural Resources will be responsible for $35 million allocated to develop regional programs geared to facilitate adaptation and collaboration between Government, economic sectors, local communities and organizations.

“Although these funds have to be shared throughout Canada, a 2001 Government of Canada report entitled Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise on Prince Edward Island indicates how Prince Edward Island will be damaged by rising sea levels, which is why our province and its communities should be the recipient of a large amount of the promised funding,” concluded Downe.

Attachments:

a) Senator Downe’s letter to Minister Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P., dated January 18, 2008	Click on image to enlarge
b) Senator Downe’s letter to Minister John Baird, P.C., M.P, dated January 18, 2008	Click on image to enlarge

Links:

a) Environment Canada News Release, dated December 10, 2007

b) Environment Canada Backgrounder, dated December 10, 2007