P6
POLICY REPORT
ENVIRONMENT
Date: May 6, 1996
Dept. File No.: MAYORREP
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Special Office for the Environment
SUBJECT: Environment Week, June 2 - 8, 1996
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council declare June 2-8, 1996 (Canadian Environment
Week) as Environment Week in Vancouver and June 5, 1996 as
Clean Air Day.
B. THAT Council endorse the Mayor's Environmental Achievement
Awards Program as described in this report.
C. THAT Council approve the development of environmental
displays to be used in the City Hall lobby during Environment
Week each year and throughout the City during the remainder
of the year. Funding to be from the Special Office for the
Environment's budget.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Managers of Community Services and Engineering
Services RECOMMEND approval of A to C.
COUNCIL POLICY
In 1992, Vancouver City Council approved the formation of a Special
Office for the Environment comprised of staff members from Health,
Engineering and Permits and Licenses. One of the roles for the Office
is to be advocates for the environment.
The City's Mission Statement is "To create a great city of communities
which cares about its people, its environment and the opportunities to
live, work and prosper."
PURPOSE
This report recommends that Council approve the Mayor's Environmental
Achievement Awards Program to recognize those individuals,
organizations and businesses whose local initiatives contribute to the
protection, preservation and enhancement of our environment and that
Council declare Environment Week in Vancouver, June 2-8, 1996.
The report also outlines a number of activities that are planned to
promote environmental awareness in the community during Canadian
Environment Week/Environment Week in Vancouver.
Accompanying reports presented today propose an extension to the
Environmental Grants Program and adoption of an Environmental Policy
and Agenda.
DISCUSSION
The first week in June each year is Canadian Environment Week.
Individuals, organizations, businesses and governments are encouraged
to participate in activities which demonstrate the values we place on
the environment. The Special Office for the Environment proposes the
following activities and programs for the City during Canadian
Environment Week, June 2-8, 1996:
- that Council declare Canadian Environment Week, June 2-8, 1996 as
Environment Week in Vancouver and that June 5, 1996 as Clean Air
Day in Vancouver.
- that an Environmental Achievement Awards Program be established to
recognize those individuals, organizations and businesses that
protect, preserve or enhance the environment. The program will be
called the Mayor's Environmental Achievement Awards and framed
certificates of recognition will be presented to the recipients on
a yearly basis during Environment Week starting in 1997. The
proposed Mayor's Environmental Achievement Awards Program and
nomination forms are attached as Appendix A.
- that during Environment Week an environmental display be set up in
the City Hall lobby using existing displays.
- two additional reports are being presented to Council today
recommending an extension to the Environmental Grants Program and
the adoption of an Environmental Policy and Agenda.
The Special Office for the Environment is mandated to promote
environmental awareness at City Hall and in the community. Existing
environmental displays are specific to various work areas and a general
environmental display or promotional and educational material is not
available. The Special Office for the Environment proposes to develop
a static environmental display that can be used in City Hall during
Environment Week and in schools, libraries and at special events
throughout the year. The cost of the displays will be $2,500 and will
be funded from the Special Office for the Environment's budget. If
approved, these displays will be used to promote environmental
awareness and will focus on City programs and initiatives.
June 2-8, 1996 is also Bike To Work Week. A number of events are
planned and co-sponsored by the City. A schedule of these activities
is attached as Appendix B.
June 5, 1996 is Clean Air Day and the City will be participating in a
number of activities, including the second annual "Take Another Way Day
Challenge". This is an inter-departmental alternate transportation
challenge.
CONCLUSION
The City's Mission Statement speaks of a City that cares about its
environment. The proposals in this report provide vehicles to
recognize the members in our community that protect, preserve and
enhance our environment and to promote environmental awareness in the
community.
* * * * *
APPENDIX A
THE MAYOR'S ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
The City of Vancouver is located in one of the most beautiful settings
in the world and is fast becoming a major international city and one of
the most desired destinations. Major factors contributing to the
City's popularity is its environment and livability.
Improving and maintaining environmental quality within our City is one
of the most important issues we face. With increasing populations and
the demand for land and raw materials we must learn how to balance the
economic and social needs with the protection and preservation of our
environment.
As Canadians, we recognize the responsibilities we share with other
nations in protecting the world's environment for the benefit of future
generations. Actions that we take locally can contribute to the
overall wellbeing of the environment, not only in Vancouver, but on a
regional, national and global level as well.
The City is committed to the protection of its environment and the
livability of its communities which is reflected by our mission
statement.
OUR MISSION
"To create a great city of communities which cares about its people,
its environment and the opportunities to live, work and prosper."
In keeping with our mission, the Mayor's Environmental Achievement
Awards will recognize those individuals, organizations and businesses
within the community whose local initiatives contribute to the
protection, preservation and enhancement of our environment. The award
recipients will be announced during Canadian Environment Week each
year.
AWARDS
The Mayor's Environmental Achievement Awards will be given for
voluntary environmental initiatives that preserve and protect the
environment. Awards (Certificates of Recognition) will be announced
and presented during Canadian Environment Week each year.
AWARD CATEGORIES
1. Individuals and Non Profit Organizations
These awards will be presented to individuals and non-profit
organizations who make contributions to protect and preserve our
environment. The contributions may be in the form of programs or
activities in the areas of habitat conservation, recycling, composting,
education or any other issue that improves the quality of the
environment within the City of Vancouver.
2. Corporate Sector
These awards will be presented to those corporate bodies and businesses
that show environmental leadership in conducting their businesses. The
successful businesses will have developed internal and/or
community-oriented programs to conserve valuable natural resources or
to protect the environment. The programs will show that environmental
concerns can be taken into consideration to the mutual benefit of
business and the environment. Businesses that profit from
environmental activities which is the focus of their business or are
legislated to take an action are not eligible for these awards.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All nomination forms must include the names, addresses, and telephone
numbers of the nominees and the submitters of the nominations.
A brief one-page summary of the nomination must also be included with
the following information:
- a description of the environmental projects or activities
- the role of the nominees
- the contribution of the project or activity to protect and
preserve our environment
- for the organization and corporate sector category, a brief
description of the organization, business, or corporate body
including environmental achievements and goals
- for the individual category, a biography of the individual's
environmental activities
Newspaper clippings, photographs or other supporting material is
valuable and should also be included if available.
All nominees must have good environmental records and shall not be in
violation of any municipal, regional, provincial or federal
environmental regulations.
All submissions must be received or postmarked no later than April 30
to be considered for that year's awards. Award recipients will be
notified and presentations will be made during Canadian Environment
Week.
AWARDS JURY
The Awards jury will be composed of members of the City's Special
Office for the Environment in consultation with the Focus Group on the
Environment.
For further information regarding the Mayor's Environmental Achievement
Awards contact Neil McCreedy at 873-7528.
CITY OF VANCOUVER
ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS NOMINATION FORM
I Wish To Nominate
Name_____________________________________________________
Organization ____________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________
Telephone______________________
CATEGORY
___ Individuals or Non-Profit Organization
___ Corporate Sector
Brief description of the environmental project or activity
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________
This nomination is submitted by:
Name_____________________________________________________
Organization______________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________
Telephone_______________________
Relationship to Nominee__________________________________
Nominations must be received or postmarked no later than April 1 of
each year to be considered for presentation during Environment Week of
that year.
Please submit nomination forms to:
City of Vancouver
Permits and Licenses Department
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Y 1V4
Attention: Neil McCreedy, Environmental Analyst