Ottawa targets biodiversity preservation

The federal government will spend $4.5 million to protect dwindling animal and plant species and encourage biodiversity, Environment Minister John Baird said on Tuesday.

Baird chose the International Biodiversity Day to announce the funding, part of the Tory government's green plan.

Flanked by United Nations officials at Montreal's Botanical Garden, Baird said Canada's green plan is one of the best in the world.

"We're the only one on the ice; we're the only one with a plan. The time for debating and bickering on this is over. The time for action is now."

Critics have torn apart the Conservative green plan, saying the $9-billion dollar strategy for failing to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in the Kyoto Protocol.

However, United Nations officials endorsed the Conservative plan.

"In spite of the problems that Canada is encountering, there is a policy framework put in place," said Yvo de Boer, executive secretary to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"There is a commitment to an internationally negotiated framework, so I must admit that it made me feel a lot better," he said.

The biodiversity funding will be used to fund up to 100 programs as part of the Habitat Stewardship program, designed to protect animal and plant species.