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Press release
5 February 2016

The Government of Quebec announces important changes in the management of the Fonds vert


Quebec City, February 5, 2016. – Today, the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Mr. David Heurtel, launched a significant reform of the way in which the Fonds vert is managed.  As previously undertaken by the government, this revamping of the fund will be based on three major governance principles – sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability.  To achieve these goals, Mr. Heurtel announced the creation of the Conseil de gestion du Fonds vert, a management policy which focuses on achieving the best greenhouse gas emission results in every single project and matching reduction targets established by the government.

The Fonds vert is an important economic lever for the new Quebec economy and a driver of prosperity for the 21st century.  As a result, it is important that the fund be managed in a way that maximizes return on investment, according to best practice, and that results be communicated more effectively to citizens, in the spirit of continual improvements.

– David Heurtel

The Conseil de gestion will be led by a Chief Executive Officer and by a Board of Directors composed of nine government appointees, of which four members will come directly from the public service and the other five members will represent the community.  The CEO must be one of the community representatives.

Reporting to the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, the Conseil de gestion du Fonds vert will have the following mandate:

  • Make recommendations as to the allocation of financial resources and as to the feasibility of the initiatives and the programs that will be supported by the fund;
  • Establish procedures for the management of the fund;
  • Develop performance criteria;
  • Ensure that revenues and expenses are documented correctly;
  • Ensure that undertakings made by partners as to use of Fonds vert funds are kept;
  • Assess results.

The new management practices will ensure that the Fonds vert is more accountable and centralize its communications, in addition to ensuring that the projects supported by various ministries are more coherent and better coordinated.  In this vein, the finances of the new Conseil de gestion will be monitored by the Financial Comptroller.

The Conseil de gestion du Fonds vert will work closely with the Climate Change Advisory Committee, which reports to Minister Heurtel, so that the Conseil can benefit from the expertise of the members of the Advisory Committee.  The Advisory Committee, created in July 2014 and composed of 15 independent experts, will retain its existing mandate in its entirety.  For example, the fact that the members of the Advisory Committee represent sectors of the economy that are relevant to the objectives of the Fonds vert will help ensure that the needs of community partners are taken into account in the management of the fund.

Together, we must accelerate the transition to an economy that is less dependent on carbon, in order to ensure that Quebecers enjoy a better quality of life and that we are able to leave a healthy planet for future generations.  The Government of Quebec has made firm commitments in this regard, and we must act quickly to continue to improve our environmental record.

Therefore, it is important to me to ensure that each and every initiative and program financed by the fund achieve the best possible environmental results, so that we can promote the development of a green economy and keep up the fight against climate change.  Let’s do this for our children!

– David Heurtel

As of today, the management of the Fonds vert will be strengthened, and the MDDELCC will begin working on the legal and administrative adjustments that are necessary to ensure that the Conseil de gestion du Fonds vert can be fully operational from now until the end of 2016.

It should be noted that the Fonds vert was established to support the MDDELCC and its community partners in the development of initiatives which will foster sustainable development, particularly with regard to strategic issues linked to the fight against climate change, waste management and water policies.  The fund contributes significantly to the fulfillment of the MDDELCC’s mandate, while stimulating technological innovation and social development.  In this way, the Fonds vert contributes to the growth of Quebec’s economy.