The Governments of Canada and Quebec Work Together for a Healthy River

QUEBEC, June 26, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec are determined to protect the St. Lawrence River through scientific research, action and collaboration with their partners so that this irreplaceable ecosystem can be healthy and beneficial for future generations.

That is why the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, and the Quebec Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, David Heurtel, announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec intend to jointly invest $57.5 million over the next 5 years in the conservation and enhancement of the St. Lawrence River. These investments are part of the new 2016-2021 program of the Canada-Quebec Agreement, also called the St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011-2026.

The agreement is a good example of cooperation between the governments of Canada and Quebec uniting in the common goal of protecting our cherished St. Lawrence by enabling projects with positive spinoffs and concrete advances in research.

In addition, this partnership will enable 38 joint projects to be organized around the three priority issues that aim to protect the biodiversity of the St. Lawrence, ensure its sustainable use, and ensure the quality of its water. The contribution of various departments, both federal and provincial, will also enable both governments to share knowledge and expertise.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada, along with the Government of Quebec, is continuing its commitment to the protection and sustainable development of the cherished St. Lawrence River, which is the main source of drinking water for Quebecers. Through scientific research, action, and collaboration with our partners, we are working to ensure that this vital ecosystem can be healthy and beneficial for future generations. This is another concrete example of our Government's actions in protecting major freshwater sources across Canada."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"For nearly 30 years, our governments have worked together to protect the St. Lawrence. We must continue our joint action and apply our knowledge to preserve the riches of our river for future generations. It is important to document changes occurring in the St. Lawrence and to share our knowledge to ensure it has a promising future. This must be done in a sustainable development approach that is, by respecting the environment and taking into account economic and social development. This way, we will focus our efforts towards tackling climate change and we will preserve the different ecosystems in the river."
– David Heurtel, Quebec Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change

Quick Facts:

• 11 Government of Canada departments and agencies and 9 Government of Quebec departments and agencies will spend $35.2 million and $22.3 million respectively over the next five years on actions identified in the St. Lawrence Action Plan.
• Activities of the St. Lawrence Monitoring Program and the Numerical Environmental Prediction Program will continue. The implementation of the two programs will allow monitoring of the river's health and the development of forecasting models to better predict how its waters and ecosystems will evolve, particularly in relation to climate change.
• The St. Lawrence Action Plan will also continue to support the involvement of riverside communities through the Community Interaction Program, which supports community-based projects to conserve and enhance the St. Lawrence ecosystem. This next program of the St. Lawrence Action Plan is renewed at $4.92 million for the period between 2016 and 2021.

Associated link

Details of the St. Lawrence 2016-2021 Action Plan and documentation on its challenges and programs are available on the St. Lawrence Action Plan website.

Launch of the 2016–2021 program under the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence 2011–2026 

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 613-462-5473, [email protected]; Émilie Simard, Press Secretary, Office of the Quebec Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, 418-521-3911; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799, [email protected]; Media Relations, Quebec Department of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, 418-521-3991