A $100-million Green Plan initiative designed to protect the Canadian Arctic’s fragile environment and preserve the health of northern people has been announced by the federal government.
The Arctic Environmental Strategy evolved from formal consultations with native organizations, business groups, the Yukon and N.W.T. governments and other concerned interest groups during a period of more than 18 months.
Environment Minister Jean Charest said the northern initiative is one of the cornerstones of Canada’s Green Plan announced last December.
Four specific programs, to be implemented during a 6-year period by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in co-operation with northern communities, other federal government departments and territorial governments, were outlined:
A $35-million program will identify, reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate chemical contaminants such as PCBs and DDT;
A $30-million plan will be aimed at cleaning up unsafe, hazardous and unsightly waste-like chemicals, fuel, buildings and other abandoned equipment;
A $25-million program will improve management and protection of northern waters by establishing a comprehensive water-monitoring network to assess the impact of pollution;
A $10-million plan will be aimed at integrating environmental and economic concerns by promoting locally created and implemented management plans.
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