Serious budget problems at Environment Canada are threatening wildlife programs and services within the federal department, freezing allotted money for some and reducing funds to nothing for others, CBC News has learned.
Wildlife and bird habitats protected as National Wildlife Areas have seen funding cut to zero.
(CBC) Of most concern to conservationists among a handful of cuts is that the Canadian Wildlife Service has had its service budget frozen for the rest of the fiscal year, meaning all its scientific field and survey work has been halted.
Sources say the budget cuts are as follows:
The Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Network, which observes changes in ecosystems, has lost 80 per cent of its budget.
The Migratory Bird Program, which monitors the health of bird populations, has seen its budget cut by 50 per cent.
The budget for the National Wildlife Areas, a program that protects nationally significant habitats for wildlife and birds, has been slashed from $1.9 million to zero.
Sources told CBC that funds to those programs were slashed after Environment Canada overspent its budget.
Environment Minister John Baird wasn't available for comment. His department sent an e-mail stating that no programs have been cut and that spending is being prioritized for climate change initiatives.
"The government has been clear that its priorities are being a climate change champion, and taking real action to provide clean air and clean water for Canadians," the e-mail said. "We think Canadians are supportive of those priorities."
Full Story
Should it be climate change or nothing at Environment Canada?
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(CBC)
Sources say the budget cuts are as follows:
The Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Network, which observes changes in ecosystems, has lost 80 per cent of its budget.
The Migratory Bird Program, which monitors the health of bird populations, has seen its budget cut by 50 per cent.
The budget for the National Wildlife Areas, a program that protects nationally significant habitats for wildlife and birds, has been slashed from $1.9 million to zero.
Sources told CBC that funds to those programs were slashed after Environment Canada overspent its budget.
Environment Minister John Baird wasn't available for comment. His department sent an e-mail stating that no programs have been cut and that spending is being prioritized for climate change initiatives.
"The government has been clear that its priorities are being a climate change champion, and taking real action to provide clean air and clean water for Canadians," the e-mail said. "We think Canadians are supportive of those priorities."
Full Story
Should it be climate change or nothing at Environment Canada?
More...
