A longstanding environmental umbrella organization is getting ready to shut down after promised federal funding apparently was not forthcoming.

The Canadian Environmental Network said in a news release it’s been forced to lay off its staff and is on the verge of closing the doors of its head office in Ottawa and 11 regional offices.

“The network demands to know why it is being shut out of communications with Environment Canada regarding the promised funding for fiscal year 2011-2012,” the group said on its website.

“Neither Environment Minister Peter Kent nor his departmental officials have explained why they are not delivering on their promise of continued core funding for the Network, which comprises its key environmental constituency across Canada.”

Network chairman Olivier Kolmel said the 34-year-old group got a letter from the department last May stating the government intended to continue $547,000 in core funding for the current fiscal year, 2011-12.

“In keeping with our over three-decades-long partnership, we ask that EC honour this letter,” Kolmel said.

Environment Canada confirmed Friday to the Yahoo! Canada News the network’s funding has been cancelled.

“Environment Canada has decided not enter  into a contribution agreement with the Canadian Environmental Network this  fiscal year,” Melissa Lantsman, Kent’s director of communications, said via email.

Lantsman said that during tough economic times Canadians expect the government to be extra vigilant in managing tax dollars and that all programs are reviewed regularly so they line up with Canadians’ priorities and core federal responsibilities.

The network bills itself as a “formalized mechanism through which Canadians contribute to policy, legislation, and environmental management in this country.” It has more than 640 member groups.

“The network forms an invaluable and irreplaceable grid of communication among environmentally concerned Canadians and the Government of Canada,” said Larry McDermott, a network director and aboriginal representative.

But Lantsman said Environment Canada is working on more direct use of web-based contact with citizens and already has a number of web pages dedicated to public participation and consultation.

“The intent is to  expand on these to not only provide comments on discussion papers, but to  invite stakeholders to submit ideas or policy solutions on the government’s  environmental priorities,” she said.

Stephen Hazell, a former Sierra Club of Canada executive director, called the network “the epitome of what democracy in this country has always strived to achieve,” because it gives small and large organizations a chance to take part in the government’s decision-making process.

“The loss of the network would be a tragic loss for democracy and for all Canadians,” he said.

via Environmental umbrella group near closure after federal funding cancelled | Daily Brew – Yahoo! News.