Canadian Government Funds Green Transportation (Including Telework) Initiatives

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Canadian Government Funds Green Transportation (Including Telework) Initiatives

The Canadian federal government is taking the axiom of 'think globally, act locally' to heart by financing over a dozen local green transportation programs that range from cycling to shared-ride home, public transit, walking to school, and to telework.

Here is the release and the backgrounder:
 
Federal government delivers green transportation initiatives  
 
    OTTAWA, Jan. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird,announced today that the Government of Canada will invest in 14 projects across the country that support environmentally friendly transportation.
 
    The projects will receive a total of almost $3 million under the ecoMOBILITY program. Fourteen municipalities will receive funding for projects that respond to their individual needs and circumstances.
 
    "This is a good example of what our government is doing to keep our economy  moving, create new jobs and deliver results for the environment," said Minister Baird. "These projects will promote greener transportation alternatives for Canadians, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate our economy."
 
    The ecoMOBILITY program works with provinces, municipalities and regionaltransportation authorities to help develop initiatives that encourage commuters to choose public transit or other alternatives to personal vehicles. Through the program, the government is taking action to find ways to meet transportation needs, reduce costs to Canadians and protect the environment.
 
    The ecoMOBILITY program is part of the Government of Canada's ecoTRANSPORT Strategy, which has three goals: 1) improving the health of Canadians and the environment by reducing the environmental impacts of transportation; 2) contributing to Canada's future prosperity and competitiveness by making critical transportation infrastructure sustainable both economically and environmentally; and 3) promoting an efficient transportation system that supports choice and the high quality of life Canadians expect.

                   PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER THE ecoMOBILITY PROGRAM
         
    The Agence métropolitaine de transport in the Greater Montreal Area will receive a contribution of up to $125,000 for a project to enhance the delivery of its Allégo program that provides tool kits to private-sector employers wishing to put in place green transportation options for their employees.
   
    Calgary Economic Development will receive a contribution of up to $800,000 for a project to foster teleworking in the business community. The implementation plan will include awareness and public engagement; professional development; telework program planning, impact assessment and reporting; telework "living labs," or local work centres; and the development of policies to promote community buy-in.
   
    The City of Edmonton will receive a contribution of up to $260,000 for a community pilot project that aims to promote flexible work hours and alternative modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, public transit and carpooling in a "demonstration neighbourhood" in the city.
   
    The City of Guelph, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $127,100 for its Bicycle Friendly Guelph Initiative. This project will deliver a wide variety of educational programs and events to encourage more people to ride bicycles safely and conveniently.

    The City of London, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $120,000 for a project that will develop green transportation programs in both a suburban residential area and an industrial area in the city. These initiatives will help increase understanding of local transportation at the neighbourhood and business district level.
   
    The City of New Westminster, British Columbia, will receive a contribution of up to $120,000 for a series of related initiatives aimed at reducing the number of personal vehicle trips taken in the city by municipal employees, as well as by employees of the city's four main employers; promoting Safe Routes to School for nine elementary schools; enhancing green transportation components of the city's transportation plan; and creating a coordinator position to promote green transportation options.

    The City of Peterborough, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $350,150 for a project that will expand green transportation outreach and education for workplaces, secondary schools and the general community. There are also plans to expand the current IWALK program to include elementary schools.

    The Corporation of the City of North Bay, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for a project to develop an outreach program to encourage local secondary school students and those with physical disabilities to use public transportation.

    The Halifax Regional Municipality will receive a contribution of up to $50,000 for its Guaranteed Ride Home Program, which is an 18-month pilot project to provide guaranteed rides home for participants in green transportation programs. The Halifax Regional Municipality will also receive a contribution of up to $55,000 for a project to study the feasibility of developing a dedicated municipal fund to encourage transportation choices that will create a greener transportation network.

    Metrolinx (the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority) will receive a contribution of up to $405,000 for a project at elementary schools in the Region of Peel and the City of Hamilton to pilot, test and monitor new concepts and initiatives that encourage students to walk to school. It will also promote green transportation alternatives for faculty and staff.
   
    The Region of Peel, in Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $120,000 for a project that will implement green transportation marketing programs at six employment sites, reaching an estimated 9,500 employees. The campaigns will aim to reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel.

    The Region of Waterloo, Ontario, will receive a contribution of up to $180,000 for a project that will promote the use of new transit services in a suburban residential community; demonstrate the effectiveness of a transferable transit pass; and help area municipalities develop parking management tools that support the use of green transportation alternatives.
   
    Saint John Transit in New Brunswick will receive a contribution of up to $210,000 for a project to increase ride sharing and the use of public transit in the local area.
 

 



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