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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-CA link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>The idea of a National Urban Forest Strategy is certainly gaining acceptance. Attached is a media release from an M.P. (Irene Mathyssen, London-Fanshawe) who has moved this Private Members Motion in the House of Commons on National Tree Day....<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoDateCxSpFirst><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoDateCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoDateCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoDateCxSpMiddle>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoDateCxSpLast>September 24, 2014 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:110%'>MATHYSSEN MOVES MOTION TO SUPPORT URBAN FORESTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:110%'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>OTTAWA – Today, on National Tree Day, NDP MP Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) introduced a Private Members’ Motion calling on the government to establish an Urban Forestry Strategy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Urban forests impact 85% of Canadians, yet we lag behind other G7 countries in the value we place on them,” said Mathyssen. “In the United States, management of urban forests falls under a responsibility equivalent to that of a Canadian deputy minister. Here in Canada, we lead the world in destruction of our forests. It’s a shame, and we can do better.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>M-536 lists six objectives, including an affirmation of the leadership role of the federal government in urban forest knowledge, management and protection. It also ensures collaboration between all levels of government, the private sector, individual property owners and NGOs in preserving, promoting and protecting Canadian urban forests.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>London, Ontario – known as the “Forest City” – introduced a municipal urban strategy document for consideration earlier this summer. “I am encouraged by the forward-thinking of my home community on this issue,” said Mathyssen. “With the bounty of natural resources we have in Canadian urban forests, we should be on the forefront of preserving them before it’s too late.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In support of Mathyssen’s initiative, the President of Tree Canada, Michael Rosen, stated "With over 80% of Canadians living in urban areas, we applaud any action that supports a National Urban Forest Strategy. This is an important environmental initiative for Canada and we encourage all parties to support this motion.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>– 30 –<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=Normal1><b><span lang=EN-US>For more information, please contact:</span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:16.2pt'><span lang=EN-US>James Valcke, Press Secretary, 613-294-9260 or<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><a href="mailto:james.valcke@parl.gc.ca"><span lang=EN-US>james.valcke@parl.gc.ca</span></a><u><span lang=EN-US style='color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>***<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoDateCxSpFirst><span lang=FR-CA>POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoDateCxSpLast><span lang=FR-CA>24 septembre 2014<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=FR-CA style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:110%'>IRENE MATHYSSEN DÉPOSE UNE MOTION VISANT À PROTÉGER LES FORÊTS URBAINES <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoBodyText><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA>OTTAWA – À l’occasion de la Journée nationale de l’arbre, la députée du NPD, Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe), a déposé une motion d’initiative parlementaire demandant au gouvernement d’élaborer une stratégie nationale en matière de foresterie urbaine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA>« Les forêts urbaines ont un impact sur 85% des Canadiens. Or, nous ne leur accordons pas la même importance que les autres pays du G7, a affirmé Irene Mathyssen. Aux États-Unis, la gestion des forêts urbaines tombe sous la responsabilité de l’équivalent américain d’un sous-ministre canadien. Ici, nous permettrons la destruction de nos forêts. C’est une honte. Nous pouvons faire mieux. » <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA>La motion M-536 comprend six objectifs, dont l’affirmation du rôle de leadership que doit jouer le gouvernement fédéral dans la connaissance, la gestion et la protection des forêts urbaines. Elle assure également la collaboration de tous les paliers de gouvernement, du secteur privé, des propriétaires particuliers et des ONG dans la préservation, la promotion et la protection des forêts urbaines canadiennes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA>Plus tôt cet été, la ville de London en Ontario a soumis un document dans lequel était présentée sa stratégie urbaine municipale. « Je suis encouragée par l’approche avant-gardiste adoptée par ma collectivité sur cet enjeu, a affirmé Irene Mathyssen. Étant donné les ressources naturelles abondantes des forêts urbaines canadiennes, nous devrions être en train de lutter pour les préserver avant qu’il ne soit trop tard. »<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA>En appui à l’initiative d’Irene Mathyssen, le président d’Arbres Canada a affirmé : « Compte tenu du fait que 80 % des Canadiens vivent dans des zones urbaines, nous applaudissons toute action qui appuie l’élaboration d’une stratégie nationale en matière de foresterie urbaine. Il s’agit d’une proposition environnementale importante pour le Canada et nous encourageons tous les partis à appuyer cette motion. »<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=FR-CA>– 30 –<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText><b><span lang=FR-CA>Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec :<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:16.2pt'><span lang=FR-CA>James Valcke, attaché de presse, (613) 294-9260 ou<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><a href="mailto:james.valcke@parl.gc.ca"><span lang=FR-CA>james.valcke@parl.gc.ca</span></a><u><span lang=FR-CA style='color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>