Canada launches ecoFreight program

Canada launches ecoFreight program The Canadian government on Feb. 15 pledged C$61 million ($52.4 million) to fund a series of environmental and health initiatives as part of its new ecoFreight program.
   The ecoFreight program comprises six initiatives, two of which specifically focus on the trucking industry, through the removal of regulatory barriers and the reduction of fuel use and emissions. The other initiatives target air, rail, road and marine modes, as well as establishing a Freight Technology Demonstration Fund to provide cost-shared funding, building and maintaining partnerships and to demonstrate the potential of shore-based power.
   'Canada's new government encourages the freight industry to join the effort as we all have a role to play in the reduction of emissions from transportation sources, and the development of cleaner transportation systems, practices and technologies,' said Lawrence Cannon, Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, when launching the program.