Government is supporting two sustainable transportation projects in Halifax.
Halifax Atlantic MLA Brendan Maguire, on behalf of Energy Minister Michel Samson, announced the support at an event today, Oct. 1, at The Boys and Girls Club of Spryfield. Projects led by Genuine Progress Index Atlantic and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada received funding through the province’s sustainable transportation grant program, Connect2.
“Halifax is home to great sustainable transportation infrastructure, and we’re pleased to support two projects that help encourage even more people to enjoy it,” said Mr. Maguire. “Government is proud to partner with community organizations like Genuine Progress Index Atlantic and Heart and Stoke Foundation to encourage and support community-driven sustainable transportation solutions and promote active lifestyles.”
Government is providing $10,000 to Genuine Progress Index Atlantic for its Youth Connect project. Youth Connect aims to encourage and enable youth to be direct agents of positive change in overcoming obstacles and creating solutions for youth access to sustainable transportation.
“Young people can provide a wealth of insight, not to mention energy and enthusiasm, to the planning process for sustainable transportation,” said Gwendolyn Colman, executive director, Genuine Progress Index Atlantic. “This Connect2 grant will allow more young people to partner with community organizations to identify and create solutions to barriers affecting people of all ages in our communities.”
Mr. Maguire also announced a $2,500 grant to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to plan and host a Planning Walkable Communities workshop to improve the state of walkability in Halifax.
“Walking is the most accessible form of active transportation for Nova Scotians of any age, yet walkability can often be an afterthought in the planning and design process,” said Charlotte Comrie, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. “This workshop, for planners and others interested in active transportation, is about making our communities more walkable and more accessible for everyone, from children to seniors.”
Connect2, launched in May, aims to create and promote active transportation options for trips of two kilometres or less between community hubs in rural and urban parts of the province.
More projects will be announced in the coming weeks, and all will be completed by March 10.
For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/sustainabletransportation/ .
Source: Release