Ottawa, July 23 – Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) is now able to continue its important work as the Minister of the Environment has announced that the Federal Government will continue its support. The RCEN is an independent, non-partisan organization. It does not take positions on environmental issues. Rather, the RCEN actively encourages and supports those who take part in public consultations, working groups, and national and international meetings.
The RCEN works with over 800 member environmental groups across Canada, which have a combined membership in the hundreds of thousands.
"I would like to thank the Government for its continued support to our organisation at a time when the environment is an issue of such critical importance to the public", said Steve Rison, chair of the RCEN Board. "I am grateful to the environmental movement for rallying to our support last week, when our survival was in question. This cohesion will be necessary to address the challenges to come." stated Susan Tanner, RCEN Executive Director.
"Canadians are more and more aware of environmental issues and ready to act", said Philippe Bourke, RCEN Board member and DG of the Regroupement des conseils régionaux de l'environnement du Québec (RNCREQ), "they count on environmental groups to be well informed on the main issues."
"The Canadian and Regional Environmental Networks enable grassroots groups from all parts of Canada to have input on important issues such as Climate change, air pollution and loss of fish habitat", said Martha Kostuch, renowned Alberta environmental activist.
"RCEN has contributed to policy development on air emissions and smog; water pollution; habitat loss and trade; and environmental planning and assessment", said Stephen Hazell, Executive Director of Sierra Club of Canada.
"As global warming increasingly impacts on all facets of our lives and the ongoing environmental crisis mounts in our forests, oceans and fisheries we are going to need unprecedented collective action to meet these challenges. Now more than ever we need RCEN to pull Canadians together to harness their knowledge, experience and solutions," said Bruce Cox, Executive Director of Greenpeace Canada.
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The RCEN is a non-partisan, democratic body that helps network the Canadian environmental movement, assist smaller groups, capacity-build, provide expertise to the Government, NGOs and Industry, and facilitate involvement in public consultations with Environment Canada. For further information: Susan Tanner (613) 728-9810 x 228 - [email protected] or Olivier Bertin-Mahieux (514) 996-9810 - [email protected]; www.cen-rce.org.