For Immediate Release - June 4, 2021
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Having sat on the Standing Committee for Agriculture and Agri-food, and now sitting on the Standing Committee for the Environment and Sustainability, we have recognized the important role organic farming plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the farm. This funding will help the organic farming industry to raise awareness in the broader public when they make their food purchasing decisions. " - Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph
Canadians want cleaner air, cleaner water and good jobs, now and into the future. Across the country, Canadians are working hard in their communities to cut pollution, while growing the economy. This week during Canadian Environment week, we recognize that we can make a difference for future generations by the actions we take today.
To support these goals, Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph highlighted Canada’s investment of $105,406 for the Organic Council of Ontario. With this funding they will build awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of adopting organic and regenerative farming practices among Ontario farmers, and encourage farmers to adopt them.
The Organics Council of Ontario’s project, Communicating Climate Solutions: Informing and Engaging Ontario Farmers, will conduct Ontario-wide information sharing, create centralized information on the impact of agricultural methods on climate change and develop digital and print resources that have the potential to create long-term impacts in the broader farming community. This project will help to raise awareness and take local action to fight climate change while working to reduce Canadian greenhouse gas emissions.
The funding for this project comes from the Climate Action and Awareness Fund, which was created mainly from the historic $196.5 million fine paid by Volkswagen for circumventing Canada’s environmental protection laws. When companies break the rules, the Government of Canada ensures that environmental good follows environmental harm by investing those fines in projects that benefit our environment.
Local projects, like the one announced today, help Canada achieve its goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, while growing the economy and creating jobs.
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