June 1, 1999
(Environment and Labour)

Newfoundland and Labrador to celebrate first annual Clean Air Day

Oliver Langdon, Minister of Environment and Labour, announced today that the province is celebrating the first annual Clean Air Day Canada (CADC) on Wednesday, June 2.

The theme of the first Clean Air Day is Community Action Clean Air and Climate Change. This dual focus is aimed at improving the quality of air Canadians breathe and addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Minister Langdon stated that we are very fortunate to have relatively clean air in this province. "Overall, our air quality is very good and we must all continue to do what we can to ensure it remains that way," said the minister. "Government, industry and individuals all have significant roles to play to ensure clean air. Every day, we all make choices that affect air quality. Clean Air Day is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the importance of clean air and to consider what we can do on an individual basis or as part of a group to improve and protect our air quality."

This week, May 30 to June 5, is Environment Week and throughout the week communities across Canada are promoting the commuter challenge. The goal of the commuter challenge is to encourage everyone to adopt a "greener" means of commuting, such as walking, jogging, biking, busing and car-pooling. This is a friendly country-wide challenge aimed at reducing air pollution and encouraging a greener means of getting to work. Minister Langdon said: "I encourage Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take up this challenge and I invite everyone to take an active part in celebrating National Clean Air Day."

Media contact:  Sean Kelly, Director of Communications, (709) 729-2575.

1999 06 01             3:20 p.m.