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Clean Air Day Awards 2007 – Summary of Winners

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National Winners | Pacific-Yukon Region Winners | Ontario Region Winner | Québec Region Winner | Atlantic Region Winner

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National Winners

Peter Corbyn

Excellence in Energy Efficiency Outreach

For over 15 years, Peter Corbyn has made outstanding contributions to clean air and energy efficiency outreach. Among his many contributions is the creation of www.earthinstitute.ca, a website that helps Canadians reduce their green house gas emissions. His efforts have saved Canadian homeowners, businesses, and industries over $2.5 million in energy costs. Peter is also an instructor at the New Brunswick Community College where he inspires students and leads by example. Peter is one of 19 Canadians selected and trained to present Al Gore’s Climate Change Project from “An Inconvenient Truth” and will have completed 38 presentations to schools and communities by the end of April 2007.

Toyota Canada

For Contributions in the Development and Production of Hybrid Vehicles

For over 30 years, Toyota has been researching and developing hybrid systems with the goal to lower automobile emissions and conserve energy. Their innovative Hybrid Synergy Drive , featured in the Toyota Prius, was the world’s first mass produced hybrid vehicle, and from 1997 – 2004 150,000 Prius’ were sold. Toyota takes pride in leading the way towards lowering green house gas emissions and is also a national title partner of Evergreen, creating the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program that provides funding and resources for school greening projects.

Pacific-Yukon Region Winners  

Co-operative Auto Network

Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air through Car Sharing

The Co-operative Auto Network (CAN) is a self-sufficient car sharing program that targets individuals, companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island . Starting in 1997 with just 2 vehicles and 16 members the Co-operative Auto Network now has a fleet of 150 vehicles and 2837 members. It is estimated that for each vehicle that is part of CAN, 4 to 8 personal automobiles are kept off the road. In addition to their efforts to reduce air pollution and green house gas emissions, CAN has helped shape the city bylaws around parking and development and contributed to expanding local green space. CAN has also been able to provide vital start up, promotional, and policy information to car sharing groups across North America and the world.

 City of Kelowna

Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air through Community Involvement

The City of Kelowna has shown outstanding support of Clean Air Day by hosting a wide variety of clean air and environmental events. Through annual events like the Commuter Challenge Relay Race, Free Transit Day on Clean Air Day, the “Celebrate the Environment” wine and cheese and a Clean Air Day sustainable commuter breakfast, the City of Kelowna helps their whole community take action on clean air and climate change.

 Ontario Region Winner

Town of East Gwillimbury

Outstanding Leadership in Increasing the Energy Efficiency of New Construction

On September 5 th, 2006 the Town of East Gwillimbury in Ontario , passed a resolution adopting a Municipal policy directing all new Town facilities and new industrial, commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings within the municipality to be built to LEED (NC) Canada Version 1.0 certification level “Silver”. This policy follows the Council’s previous policy initiative with the Energy Star program for residential development. As a small rural town, East Gwillimbury has shown enormous leadership in being environmentally proactive and hopes their innovative approaches will be implemented in municipalities across Ontario and Canada .

Québec & Ontario Region Winner

Soci é t é de transport de l’Outaouais & OC Transpo

Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air through the Implementation of the Fid é lit é Program

OC Transpo

Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air through the Implementation of the EcoPass Program

OC Transpo and the Soci é t é de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) have created pre-authorized payment programs to make using transit in the National Capital Region more economical and convenient. With these programs, transit users can receive 10 -15% discounts on their passes. OC and STO worked together to overcome the challenges of their inter-provincial service and the response from the public has been excellent. Over 10,000 federal employees alone have signed up for these programs and enjoy the benefits of sustainable transportation at an even better price.

Atlantic Region Winner

The Ecology Action Center

Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air through Advocacy of Sustainable Transportation

The Ecology Action Center has made excellent progress in improving and encouraging sustainable modes of transportation in the province of Nova Scotia . Through implementing affordable transit passes for students, hosting an International Walk to School Week, organizing the largest Car Free Day event in Halifax , and piloting a workplace transit pass system, the Ecology Action Center has played a major role in the accessibility and frequency of sustainable transportation use. They also have developed the car recycling program Steer Clean, which recycles old high polluting vehicles and offers incentives to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly transportation.