Commuter Challenge Kicks Off!
Thursday, June 1st was a big day for Green Action Centre. At noon on a wonderful sunny day, Commuter Challenge was formally launched, welcoming the start of another great year for Manitobans to green commute June 4-10.
This year, we were pleased to welcome the Honorable Cathy Cox, Minister of Sustainable Development, Councillor for St. Vital Brian Mayes, and Paul Vogt, President of Red River College to celebrate the challenge with us. Our own Mel Marginet from Green Action Centre’s Workplace Commuter Option program got to announce that following the Challenge, we will be launching GoManitoba.ca. Trevor Dineen of the CBC emceed the event and had some hilarious stories to share.
We are thrilled to be hosting the annual Commuter Challenge in our great province. Over 20,000 Canadians participate annually and nearly 40% of them are right here in Manitoba! Across Manitoba, there are already 390 workplaces registered for the Challenge. Workplaces & individuals who still need to sign up can get registered at greenactioncentre.ca
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- Trevor Dineen of the CBC was our awesome emcee!
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- The Honourable Cathy Cox, Minister of Sustainable Development
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- Councilor Brian Mayes, City of Winnipeg
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- Paul Vogt, President of Red River College
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- Mel Marginet of Green Action Centre introduced the exciting GoManitoba to our guests!
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- Poster in-hand for her workplace – the challenge starts June 4th!
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- A view of the crowd enjoying the sun at our Media Launch June 1st
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- We asked guests to show us how they got to the launch – if they took a sustainable mode (bus, bike, walk, carpool) they got a sticker. Everybody loves stickers 🙂 BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
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- Commuter Challenge Coordinator Liz Shearer, proud of her Bus! sticker.
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- Bike!
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- Minister Cathy Cox showing off her Walk! sticker with a smile
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- Lea of Green Action Centre getting in close on the map
For media, you can download this press release PDF from the June 1st Media Launch.
“We’re looking forward to seeing thousands of Manitobans register and log their green commuting kilometers next week June 4-10 for the Commuter Challenge! Participants that embrace these sustainable commuting options are eligible for amazing prizes if they log their KMs”, said Elizabeth Shearer the Commuter Challenge Coordinator with the Green Action Centre. (click here for the latest event info and how to register!
Reflecting on the 2016 Commuter Challenge, Minister Cathy Cox shared “I am proud of the record which actually saw more than 7,300 Manitobans take part in this important challenge, and thanks to you – our province achieved the highest rate of participation of any jurisdiction in Canada!” She went on to say “We know by making choices to participate in active transportation whether cycling, walking, boarding, […] it is a great way to ensure we reduce Greenhouse gasses that are contributing to Climate Change.”
Red River College is one of only two large employers in Winnipeg to offer a 60% subsidized bus pass, and is adding bike lockers and repair stations to its existing card-swipe secure bike room and showers to accommodate downtown cyclists. At the Notre Dame Campus, over 64 premium parking spots are being used by the expanding student carpool program. ”…the College as an organization is committed to reducing its environmental footprint by developing new initiatives that encourage and support people who want to carpool, use public transit and cycle to work.”, said Paul Vogt, President of Red River College.
Following the Challenge, Green Action Centre will launch GoManitoba.ca to keep Manitobans commuting in healthy, sustainable ways all year long. This easy-to-use platform will help all Manitobans find options to get from A to B, including carpool partners, transit and cycling mentors, and more.
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