Ottawa, Ontario – Environment Canada
Today, Minister Aglukkaq marked the beginning of Canadian Environment Week 2014 by inviting Canadians to reflect on the importance of protecting and preserving their rich, natural heritage.
Canadian Environment Week is observed annually during the first full week of June, and is a time to celebrate the achievements and hard work of all Canadians who are taking action every day to improve our environment at home, at work and in our communities.
A number of important activities and events are held throughout and around the week such as the Commuter Challenge, Clean Air Day on June 4, World Environment Day on June 5 and World Oceans Day on June 8.
Through its recent announcements of a National Conservation Plan (NCP) and the 2013-2016 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, the Government of Canada is committed to protecting the environment and ensuring that Canada's ecosystems are part of healthy, connected and sustainably managed landscapes.
The NCP will provide a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts across the country with an emphasis on enabling Canadians to conserve and restore lands and waters in and around their communities, and making it easier for citizens living in cities to connect with nature. The NCP includes significant new investments over five years to secure ecologically sensitive lands, support voluntary conservation and restoration actions, and strengthen marine and coastal conservation. In addition, it will contain new initiatives designed to restore wetlands and to encourage Canadians to connect with nature close to home through protected areas and green spaces located in or near urban areas.
Source: Government of Canada