NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2007CS0012-000092 March 9, 2007	Ministry of Community Services
REWARDING GREENER CITIES AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES

VANCOUVER – Nominations are now open for the Province’s $2.5-million Green City Awards program to recognize local governments that are leading the way in British Columbia, providing for greener, healthier communities for their citizens, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services.

 

“Local governments in B.C. are instrumental in making our communities environmentally sustainable and vibrant places,” said Chong. “It’s important to recognize and reward some of this tremendous work and effort. By providing funds to further invest in these initiatives, we’re helping B.C. communities become even greater places to live and work – with safer drinking water, cleaner air, and more choices for physical activity.”

 

The Green City Awards Program will provide up to $500,000 annually to municipalities and regional districts that encourage physical activity, energy conservation and environmental benefits. Judges will evaluate how initiatives support climate change mitigation and adaptation, raise awareness, and demonstrate innovation that is transferable to other communities. The inaugural awards will be announced at the Union of BC Municipalities annual conference this September.

 

“Stewardship of the environment is a shared responsibility,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner. “All levels of government need to work with individuals to encourage innovation if we are to have vibrant, connected communities that are socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. I can’t think of a better way than the Green City Awards program to encourage regional districts and municipalities to take a leading role.”

 

The Green City Awards is one of four new programs announced by Premier Gordon Campbell at the 2006 UBCM annual conference. The other programs announced, and recently launched, include B.C. Spirit Squares, aimed at creating or enhancing outdoor public celebration spaces; the LocalMotion Fund, supporting cycling and pedestrian pathways; and the Towns for Tomorrow Program, providing infrastructure funding for B.C.’s smaller communities.

 

Each of these programs builds on B.C.’s Pacific Leadership Agenda and supports ActNow BC, a provincewide health promotion initiative focused on encouraging British Columbians to live healthier lives by being more physically active.

 

Nominations close June 1, 2007. For further information on the Green City Awards Program and nomination forms, visit: www.greencityawards.gov.bc.ca

 

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Marc Black Ministry of Community Services 250 356-6334
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