On July 14th, our Government announced an investment of over $4.1 million under the ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (ecoEII) for an innovative clean energy project in British Columbia.
The British Columbia Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project supports a shift toward the use of clean energy and electric vehicles in B.C.’s transportation sector by expanding the necessary infrastructure.
The project will support the installation of approximately 300 charging stations for public use in urban areas across the province and 30 fast-charging stations along major transportation corridors. The project also includes the implementation of a data network, which will centrally collect charging data.
Through ecoEII, the Government is providing $268.2 million over five years to support research, development and demonstration projects that produce and use energy in a more clean and efficient manner.
The clean technology sector is an important economic driver for the Canadian economy. The sector employs more than 52,000 Canadians in over 700 companies in all regions of the country — part of a global supply chain estimated to be worth $10.6 billion.
Since 2006, our Government has taken action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable environment by investing more than $10 billion in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the production of cleaner energy and cleaner fuels.
More information on what your government is doing to support sustainable energy and technology can be found at the Natural Resources Canada website at www.nrcan.gc.ca
Parks and Conservation
One of my favorite summer memories as a kid was camping in Banff National Park with my parents and three brothers. We camped in a tent and though there was good reason to be wary of bears, as the youngest of four boys, I knew I was safe.
Canadians cherish our national parks and appreciate their value as a natural and national asset. That is why, since 2006, the Canadian government has created two national marine conservation areas, three marine protected areas, three national wildlife areas, two national parks, and one national historic site.
It has made a six-fold expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve, which is a significant conservation achievement and it has tabled bills to create the Naats’ihch’oh National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories and the Rouge National Urban Park in the Greater Toronto Area, which is 16 times the size of Central Park in New York City and is the first urban park in the country.
In communities like our own our love of parks is equalled only by our passion for conservation of green space, as the enthusiasm and support for turning the rail line from Vernon to Kelowna into a recreational trail shows.
It will be welcome news then that the federal government recently announced the National Conservation Plan, which provides a long-term vision for conservation efforts across Canada by encouraging communities to work together to conserve and restore our lands, waters and wildlife.
The Plan provides funding of $252 million over five years for conserving ecologically sensitive lands, supporting voluntary conservation and restoration action, restoring wetlands, strengthening marine and coastal conservation, and improving access to wildlife areas and green spaces for Canadians.
To learn more, please go to www.canada.ca/conservationplan .
Canada Honours Korean War Veterans Day – July 27th, 2014
On July 27th, Canadians will commemorate Korean War Veterans Day an important day to remember and honour the courage and sacrifice of Canadians who served in the Korean War (1950-1953) and in peacekeeping duties following the signing of the Armistice.
More than 26,000 Canadians volunteered their service to fight during the Korean War. The Canadians fought bitter battles, lived in deplorable conditions, moved by foot through freezing mountains, and served with honour.
The Korean War was Canada’s 3rd bloodiest war, with 516 Canadians making the ultimate sacrifice. To this day, nearly 400 Canadians rest in peace in the United Nations Cemetery in Busan, Korea.
Veterans of the Korean War are everyday Canadians who became heroes by standing up for what we as a nation believe in. I encourage everyone to go to www.veterans.gc.ca to see photos, video and learn more about their heroic sacrifice.
Canada as a nation owes an everlasting debt of gratitude to the men and women who served and continue to serve our country.
The Honourable Ron Cannan is the Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country and welcomes your feedback at [email protected]. Information on local announcements and federal government programs can be found at www.cannan.ca
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.