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June 2006

CAN-RAC Approves $31,000 in Small Grants for Climate Action

CAN-RAC has approved 11 climate change projects from more than 80 proposals received under its 2006 Small Action Grant Program. The CAN-RAC Review Committee selected projects on the basis of several pre-established criteria.

The following projects were approved:

ECOLOGY ACTION CENTRE ($3,000)
The EAC will participate in hearings by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) hearings on Demand-Side Management (DSM). The goal is to influence NS decision-making on energy/climate-related issues and expand linkages for collaborative action on energy issues in the North Eastern Atlantic region. Funding will cover preparation and submission of preliminary evidence, participation and a final report.

ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY ($3,000)
The Canadian Research Chair on Sustainable Community Development will carry out an analysis of current barriers to the deployment of micro-generation technologies in Canada and how to overcome them.

SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY ($3,000)
Saskatchewan is long overdue for a comprehensive analysis of its current and future energy options. This report will include an overview of current and projected energy uses for all sectors, opportunities for efficiency improvement and conservation, current renewable energy use and potential, an analysis of barriers to progress as well as recommendations with policies, targets and dates. The report will serve to stimulate policy discussion at several different levels.

SIERRA CLUB OF CANADA- ONTARIO CHAPTER ($3,000)
The Parkdale-High Park Outreach Project is a door-to-door awareness campaign on electricity supply and conservation in the context of the climate change crisis. It will be carried out over this summer and fall.

TOXICS WATCH SOCIETY ($3,000)
CAN-RAC funding will help launch a campaign by environment groups and landowners in Montana and Alberta who plan to stop a Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. (MATL) application to build a power line across the Alberta-Montana border. If approved, the line could mark the beginning of what could be a substantial export market for Alberta’s coal-fired power the US. This would have significant impacts on the land, water and air around the power-plants, while increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

TRENT UNIVERSITY ($2,000)
This project will use the techniques of deliberative polling to examine public opinion/understanding of economic instruments for climate policy. Deliberative polling is a technique developed to better understand the conclusions that citizens would reach on an issue if they had the opportunity to become better informed about it. Results will be distributed to CAN-RAC and submitted for journal publication.

ACT FOR THE EARTH ($3,000)
This grant will support a multi-city tour to mobilize Canadians to ensure the best possible outcome for the upcoming for COP12/MOP2. Funding will cover costs of travel, accommodations, organizing, and outreach materials.

ÉQUITERRE ($3,000)
The transport sector accounts for the largest portion of emissions in Quebec. This grant will support a multi-organization effort to stop a major highway extension in Montreal and help promote improvements to public transportation.

RESEAU QUEBECOIS DES FEMMES EN ENVIRONNEMENT (RQFE) ($3,000)
RQFE will organize an outreach tour among women’s organizations in Québec. The aim is to engage women’s organizations, strengthen awareness and understanding and assist efforts at influencing decision-makers and others.

TABLE DE CONCERTATION EN ENVIRONNEMENT DE PORTNEUF ($3,000)
Funding will support increased cooperation between industries, communities and mnicipalities and to create a challenge within the region for concrete actions on climate change issues. This program began in 2003 and is now easily exported to other regions.

MOBILI-T ($2,000)
This funding will help establish a working group on transportation management in order to increase and enhance communication and cooperation among various partners for better overall impact. The Working Group aims to raise awareness among politicians and the general public on transportation issues and the importance of transport sector improvement.