Government of Canada supports climate action by Smart Prosperity Institute and the Institute of the Environment at the University of Ottawa

OTTAWA, May 22, 2019 /CNW/ - Climate change is one of the defining environmental challenges of our time. Increasing climate education, awareness, and action by Canadians across the country will support Canada's efforts to protect the environment and transition to a cleaner economy.

Today, the Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier, Mona Fortier, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced funding for two projects at the University of Ottawa through the Climate Action Fund, which will provide climate and clean growth education for young people and the public.

Up to $223,000 of funding will be provided to the University of Ottawa's Smart Prosperity Institute to support the Institute's Clean Growth Summit. This will bring together climate leaders from communities across Canada to talk about solutions for a clean economy and a strong environment.

Up to $245,000 in funding will be provided to the University of Ottawa's Institute of the Environment to produce reports that highlight how policies and actions can help Canada achieve its climate targets, while growing the economy and creating good jobs.

The Climate Action Fund provides up to $3 million to support projects delivered by students, youth, Indigenous Peoples and organizations, not-for-profit organizations, small and medium-sized businesses, and research and educational institutions.

Funded projects will raise awareness of climate change and clean growth and encourage others to take action in support of Canada's climate goals.

Quotes

"I am inspired by the initiatives being brought forward by Canadians from coast to coast to coast. These initiatives will help others be better informed and take positive action to tackle climate change. This funding is supporting our full-time students, youth, and not-for-profit and for-profit organizations in making a difference. Together, we're sharing great ideas that will help raise awareness of the importance of taking climate action right now."
– Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier

"The greatest impediment to effective climate action is the mistaken belief that it will harm the economy. In fact, there is growing evidence that the shift to a low-carbon economy can bolster Canada's competitiveness, if supported by the right policies—ones that unleash private initiative, innovation, and investment. We will generate new research, with our network of world-leading experts, about the policies that can help Canada meet its 2030 climate targets while driving clean growth and competitiveness for the benefit of all Canadians."
– Stewart Elgie, Director, University of Ottawa Institute of the Environment

"Canadian entrepreneurs across all sectors are hard at work growing businesses that build a stronger, cleaner economy. The Smart Prosperity Leaders' Initiative is excited to welcome Canadians to a series of free public round tables at business schools across the country—with entrepreneurs, students, young professionals, and established leaders—to explore how they can succeed in a green economy and seize Canada's clean growth opportunities."
– Mike Wilson, Executive Director, Smart Prosperity Institute

Quick facts

• The University of Ottawa Institute of the Environment is the University's hub for environmental sustainability-related research and teaching. The Institute of the Environment will use educational events to help raise youth awareness of Canada's clean growth economy.
• The University of Ottawa's Smart Prosperity Institute is organizing free public round tables on climate action and clean growth, at business schools across the country, in 2019.
• The Climate Action Fund supports initiatives that help bring new ideas and innovations to help tackle climate change and encourage climate action.

Associated links

• Climate Action Fund
• Backgrounder Climate Action Fund
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
• University of Ottawa Smart Prosperity Institute
• University of Ottawa Institute of the Environment

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada