On March 13, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada will invest over $3 million from the Environmental Damages Fund in five active transportation projects in Quebec. These five projects will increase access to active transportation options across the province and help communities transition to green travel options through initiatives such as bike lending, bike shares, cargo bikes, training sessions, and awareness campaigns.
The five projects, based in urban centres such as Montréal, Laval, and Québec, as well as regions across the province, can:
- Prevent 2,852 tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution
- Mobilize 168 partners in support of active transportation options
- Conduct consultations and studies on active transportation solutions
- Engage over 69,000 members of the public as participants in active transportation projects
These projects complement the Government of Canada’s commitment to take action to increase active transportation across the country through the first National Active Transportation Strategy.
The Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund is funding this project through a settlement agreement between the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA) and Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., which directed funds toward projects to reduce air pollution in Quebec.
“Canadians want to live in clean, healthy communities, and our government agrees with them. That’s why since 2015, our federal government has committed over $30 billion to public transit and active transportation projects. These investments have resulted in nearly 2,000 projects across the country, reducing air pollution and making active transportation easier, more convenient, and enjoyable. As someone who loves biking in Montréal, I’m excited to see more people in Quebec gaining access to and embracing active transportation, thanks to these projects. It’s a win for our communities and a win for the environment,” said The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change