Archived News Releases

October 4, 2004

The province has signed a contract to provide Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM) with up to $300,000 in support over three years, the first multi-year funding agreement with this environmental organization.

"We believe the work being done in communities and schools to promote safe and active alternatives to vehicle transportation will help sustain our environment," said Energy Science and Technology Minister Tim Sale who participated this morning in RCM's "walking school bus" to Pacific Junction School. "Resource Conservation Manitoba develops and administers highly successful, grassroots activities that get communities and neighbourhoods involved in protecting our environment, contributing to healthy and safe communities, and helping to meet our Kyoto commitments. I'm pleased to support their work with multi-year funding."

"We are delighted to partner with the Province of Manitoba in encouraging environmentally friendly transportation choices," said Liz Dykman, president of Resource Conservation Manitoba. "This multi-year arrangement will enable RCM to expand services throughout the province and we are optimistic that we will be able to leverage additional support from federal sources."

"We are taking the lead to support this work in the environmental movement," said Sale. "RCM is a well-known and committed group focusing on the delivery of urban trip reduction. They have a proven track record, networking with over 300 Manitoba workplaces and schools to help reduce the production of greenhouse gases from the transportation sector."

Resource Conservation Manitoba is a community-based, non-profit organization founded in 1985.

RCM will use this three-year funding agreement for four projects to encourage and support transportation choices that promote active transportation methods: Active and Safe Routes to School, the Commuter Challenge, Off-Ramp Manitoba and Workplace Trip Reduction Initiatives.

Since its inception in 2001, International Walk to School Day participation has increased by almost three times with 30,000 students participating in 2003.

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