The following statement was read today by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Environment Week and World Environment Day on June 5. Since 1971, we have used this week to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection and conservation.

We can all do our part to preserve and restore our ecosystems through such actions as growing trees, greening our communities and cities, rewilding gardens, or cleaning up our ponds, rivers and coastlines.

Every action we take makes a difference. Today, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of a new project from Clean St. John’s, funded in part by the Multi Materials Stewardship Board, to curb cigarette butt litter found on sidewalks, in parks and on roadways. I want to congratulate Clean St. John’s on this important initiative.

A significant part of environment protection is the effort to address climate change. Through programs like the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund and our Climate Change Action Plan, we are working to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but to stimulate clean innovation and growth, and build resilience to climate change impacts. I encourage everyone to look into our energy efficiency programs for those applicable to your home, such as rebates for installing insulation in electric and oil heated homes, through our partnership with takeCharge. Additional programs are available for lower income homeowners through our Home Energy Savings Program with the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

As part of Budget 2021, our Government announced $500,000 for an electric vehicle adoption accelerator program, which will encourage the purchase of electric vehicles through a $2,500 rebate to consumers.

We also announced $1 million to help transition homes whose sole source of heat is oil to electricity. The program will provide a rebate of up to $2,500.

Mr. Speaker, we can all be environmental stewards in our province. A piece of litter begins in someone’s hand. It is important we take every possible measure to protect the environment now and for future generations.

Thank you.