Mississauga Mayor to speak on a Strategy for Sustainability
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2006
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, will be among several presenters to discuss critical trends that impact the environment, the Credit River watershed, our communities and the direction we need to take to ensure safe, abundant, clean water now and in the future. “Making it Work – A Strategy for Sustainability” is a workshop hosted by Credit Valley Conservation on June 19 th at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
Other key speakers include staff from the Centre for Watershed Protection (CWP) and the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC). The Centre for Watershed Protection is widely considered to be the premiere authority in the development, application and dissemination of new watershed and storm water management techniques. CMHC is Canada 's national housing agency. Backed by 60 years of experience, CMHC works with community organizations, the private sector, non-profit agencies and all levels of government to help create innovative solutions to today's housing challenges, anticipate tomorrow's needs, and improve the quality of life for all Canadians.
In light of considerable development pressures, it is critical to plan for and manage growth. Through working partnerships with municipalities, provincial agencies, academics and individual groups, the Credit River Water Management Strategy Update was developed to be a decision support mechanism to implement upfront planning and sustainable practices for various future land use and climate extremes scenarios.
The goal of the study was to select a management strategy that ensures “abundant, safe and clean water” now and in the future for both the people and wildlife within the Credit River watershed.
The study found that direct linkages exist between public health and the environment. Monitoring results found that existing watershed conditions show some degradation in the environment and that current planning and development practices are not sustainable. The study concluded that growth can occur if we adopt sustainable development practices and restore existing rural and urban land uses.
Canadian market surveys conducted by CMHC found that 87% of respondents said they would be interested in purchasing a home in a sustainable community.
Municipalities and communities are looking for an ecologically friendly approach to land use changes and storm water management that aims at mitigating the impacts of urbanization on the environment.
Hear Mayor McCallion speak on Mississauga 's long-term plan and strategies to maintain and restore watershed communities, and listen to CMHC provide municipal examples in Canada of urban sprawl being curbed through intensification practices in existing communities.
“To build a sustainable future we must integrate provincial planning initiatives to assist our communities. Planning for the longer term - beyond 20 years through adaptive environmental management is key” says Pat Mullin, Chair of the Board of Directors of CVC and City of Mississauga Councillor.
Details:
What: One day Workshop - Making it Work – A Strategy for Sustainability
When: Monday, June 19 th 2006, 9a.m. to 5 pm
Where: Mississauga Convention Centre, Mississauga
More details available at www.creditvalleycons.com/sustainability
About Credit Valley Conservation
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) was formed on May 13, 1954 and has been working for over 50 years to protect the natural environment. CVC is one of 36 conservation authorities operating in Ontario , and is a partnership of the municipalities within the Credit River Watershed. CVC is a community-based environmental organization originally formed by an Act of provincial government and dedicated to conserving, restoring, developing and managing natural resources on a watershed basis.
The Credit River watershed is in one of the most rapidly urbanizing parts of Canada , adjacent to the Greater Toronto area and includes parts of the municipalities of Mississauga and Brampton . The river's headwaters are located above the Niagara Escarpment, a World Biosphere Reserve, and are the source of four rivers, the Credit, Humber , Etobicoke and Nottawasaga. A small section of the Oak Ridges Moraine, as well as a number of other moraines are located within the watershed's boundaries.
In June 2006, the Credit River Water Management Strategy Update (CRWMSU) was completed by CVC in working partnerships with municipalities, provincial agencies, academics and individual groups. The CRWMSU found that existing watershed conditions show some degradation in the environment, and that current planning and development practices are not sustainable. The CRWMSU found that growth can occur in a sustainable manner if we implement a number of sustainable practices to treat runoff. CVC is moving into the implementation phase of this strategy and at this time would like to gather watershed stakeholders and government representatives to discuss innovative approaches to creating a healthy future for our watershed
About the Center for Watershed Protection
Founded in 1992, the Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) is a non-profit corporation that provides local governments, environmentalists, and watershed organizations with the technical tools for protecting streams, lakes and rivers. The CWP is widely considered to be the premiere authority in the development, application and dissemination of new watershed and stormwater management techniques. They have produced more than 30 manuals and reports on nearly every aspect of urban watershed protection and restoration, developed extensive stormwater resources for the EPA, and conducted more than 350 training workshops over the last decade in 45 states and provinces.
About the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada's national housing agency. We are committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country. CMHC works to enhance Canada's housing finance options, assist Canadians who cannot afford housing in the private market, improve building standards and housing construction, and provide policymakers with the information and analysis they need to sustain a vibrant housing market in Canada
Our goal is to encourage neighbourhood design and land use planning approaches that reduce costs and environmental impacts, while maintaining community liveability. In this section you will find examples of best practices in design and development, tools for planners and designers, and other research on sustainability.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bernadette Fernandez
Communications Specialist
Credit Valley Conservation
1255 Old Derry Road ,
Mississauga ON L5N 6R4
905-670-1615 ext 240
Toll Free: 1-800-668-5557
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