NEWS RELEASES
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved through the Canadian Broadcasting Company News' website.
The Canadian Broadcasting Company reports that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised, if his Liberal Party is returned to power in the Oct. 21 election, that he will both increase protected wilderness lands and begin a new program to encourage kids and their families to enjoy the great outdoors. Under the proposed program, every young Canadian would be taught camping skills by Grade 8, and a national Experience Canada program, in partnership with Via Rail, would provide camping accommodations and a travel allowance up to $2,000 to spend four days in one of Canada's national or provincial parks for 75,000 lower-income families each year.
Trudeau said his administration would also protect 25 percent of Canada's natural land and ocean habitats by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030, an increase over the current target of 17 percent for land protection, and nearly double the 12.4 percent of Canada's land habitats currently being protected. "It is an essential part, not just of protecting biodiversity, not just of fighting climate change, but of also ensuring that future generations have the opportunities we've had growing up and the economic opportunities that come with biodiversity and investments in ecotourism in general,” Trudeau said at a campaign event.
Read more on the CBC website.