NCC’s Second Annual Environment Report Highlights Progress on Objectives
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ― The National Capital Commission’s (NCC) 2010-2011 Annual Environment Report is now available on the NCC’s website. This second annual environment report provides an account of the NCC’s environmental management approach and shows the progress made toward meeting its environmental objectives.
“From hosting greener events and promoting more sustainable transportation alternatives, to engaging our staff and stakeholders, we are starting to see real, tangible progress on the environmental front,” said Michelle Comeau, Senior Vice-President, Environment, Capital Lands and Parks Branch at the NCC. “We have made it an organizational priority to apply sound environmental management to all NCC initiatives.”
Highlights of NCC’s environmental accomplishments include:
- Canada Day 2010 — NCC’s first carbon neutral event.
- Rehabilitation of the heritage Rideau Hall Dome Building with the objective of achieving LEED® Silver accreditation.
- Land acquisitions in Mer Bleue Bog (84 hectares) and next to Gatineau Park (477 hectares) to protect the ecological integrity of these conservation areas.
EARTH DAY 2011: ACHIEVING CARBON NEUTRAL EVENTS
In celebration of Earth Day, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to highlight a key accomplishment of its Environmental Strategy, “Building a Greener Capital”. Canada Day 2010 was carbon neutral.
The strategy, launched in June 2009, was built on the idea of establishing challenging but achievable objectives, in order to improve the NCC’s environmental performance in five specific action areas: reducing waste, enhancing biodiversity, preventing pollution, leading in environmental practices and combating climate change. The NCC will present the second annual detailed progress report of its Environmental Strategy at its Board of Directors public meeting this June.
“The NCC is proud to be making measurable environmental progress, and achieving a carbon neutral Canada Day celebration is just one example,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer at the NCC. “We are definitely on track and we will continue to put into action our Environmental Strategy while working closely with our employees, partners, stakeholders and the public.”
Canada Day 2010
The NCC is proud to declare Canada Day 2010 as its first carbon neutral event. The NCC implemented several greening initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. By switching to online media sources to distribute information about Canada Day 2010 events, the NCC avoided the production of over 60,000 paper programs and saved the equivalent of 18 mature trees. The NCC also installed seven water stations on site and encouraged visitors to bring their own reusable plastic water bottles. In one day, the water stations filled the equivalent of 32,000 plastic water bottles. These initiatives helped the NCC reduce its Canada Day landfill waste by 29% and avoid the potential production of nearly two and a half tonnes of carbon emissions from landfills.
To achieve carbon neutrality, the NCC worked with CarbonZero, a renowned Canadian carbon offset vendor. To offset the 415 tones of carbon emissions produced by the Canada Day event, the NCC decided to invest in a variety of Canada-based carbon offset projects, such as energy efficiency, methane gas recovery and tree planting projects. All offset projects achieved high quality standards and represent real and permanent carbon reductions.
With the NCC’s first carbon neutral event under its belt, the NCC looks forward to working with all of its event partners to make the rest of the NCC’s signature events – including Christmas Lights Across Canada 2010-2011, Winterlude 2012, the Rideau Canal Skateway 2012, Fall Rhapsody 2012 and Sunday Bikedays 2013 — carbon neutral firsts!
The Environmental Strategy builds on the NCC’s long-standing commitment to its natural environment and to good environmental management, a commitment embraced by NCC employees. The NCC is dedicated to achieving its Environmental Strategy and to leading the way to a greener Capital.
For more information on the NCC’s Environmental Strategy, the public may contact the NCC at 613- 239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY), or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/greencapital.
Media Information:
Jasmine Leduc
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5410 (office)
613-608-3119 (cellular)
jasmine.leduc@ncc-ccn.ca
Jean Wolff
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5703 (office)
613-797-0279 (cellular)
jean.wolff@ncc-ccn.ca
Young Musicians Pack Talent and Curiosity for Summit in the Nation’s Capital
Canada’s Capital Region – The National Capital Commission (NCC) and TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival join forces for a fourth consecutive year to welcome young jazz musicians from across Canada for an unforgettable Capital experience: the Jazz Youth Summit, which will take place during the 30th anniversary of the festival (June 24 to July 4, 2010).
Through a series of intensive workshops led by the best musicians in the industry, these young Canadians will be able to challenge themselves and show their full potential in a very stimulating learning environment. The results of their efforts will culminate with a special Canada Day performance on the main stage at the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival on July 1 in Confederation Park. The NCC is also pleased to play host to these special visitors by organizing visits to key cultural attractions during their stay in the Capital Region.
“The NCC is proud to be part of the Jazz Youth Summit. This program offers a chance for our country’s young talent to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime musical adventure, ” said Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Director, Public Programming, at the NCC. “Once again this year, we are delighted that Canada’s young jazz talent will be showcased as part of the Canada Day activities in Canada’s Capital Region.”
This concentrated teaching summit is designed by Program Director Jim Lewis. He will select 15 to 20 young musicians from the applications received from across Canada. Typically, over the course of the week-long summit, participants receive daily four-hour work sessions, highlighted with guest instructors who perform at various venues during the festival. Further details about the program are available at www.ottawajazzfestival.com.
Canada Day 2010
On July 1, 2010, the NCC will present Canada Day celebrations in Canada’s Capital Region at three official sites: Parliament Hill, Major’s Hill Park and Jacques-Cartier Park. In addition to the NCC’s extensive program of Canada Day activities, the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival will present all-day free jazz programming on July 1 in Confederation Park.
For more information about Canada Day activities, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit www.canadaday.gc.ca.
Media Information:
Denise LeBlanc
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5750 (office)
613-851-9465 (cellular)
denise.leblanc@ncc-ccn.ca
Charles Cardinal
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5227 (office)
613-851-6924 (cellular)
charles.cardinal@ncc-ccn.ca
Suzan Zilahi
Director of Marketing, Sponsorship and Media
TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival
613-241-2633 (office)
media@ottawajazzfestival.com
Minister Moore Officially Launches Canada Day Poster Challenge 2010
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Feb. 4, 2010)
The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, took advantage of his presence at the unveiling of the installation “Portraits in the Street: Vancouver 2010″ today to invite students aged 5 to 18 to take part in the 2010 Canada Day Poster Challenge. Young people will be able to design a poster based on a theme that illustrates their pride in Canada and in being Canadian. This year’s theme is “My Canada is…”
“The Poster Challenge provides a wonderful opportunity for all young Canadians to demonstrate their creativity and to visually express what Canada means to them,” said Minister Moore. “It’s also an extraordinary chance to illustrate their pride as Canadians and to pay tribute to the people, events, and symbols that have shaped our great country.”
“The national winner’s work of art will become the official 2010 Canada Day poster, showcased across the country to promote Celebrate Canada! activities,” added Minister Moore. “Last year, we had more than 25 000 poster entries. I encourage even more young Canadians to take up the challenge in 2010!”
Information on the 2010 Canada Day Poster Challenge has already been sent to schools and libraries across Canada.
The deadline for submitting a poster is March 15, 2010.
Young people are invited to read the testimonials of winners from past years on the Canadian Heritage website: www.posterchallenge.pch.gc.ca
LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!
New this year is a video competition on the same theme as the 2010 Canada Day Poster Challenge: “My Canada is…” Minister Moore will announce details of the video competition later this spring.
For more information, visit the website www.posterchallenge.pch.gc.ca or contact the Canadian Heritage Enquiry Centre at 1-866-811-0055 or info@pch.gc.ca.
Originally posted at MarketWire.com.
