June 27, 2011 (Winnipeg)—Green Action Centre is pleased to announce the results of the 2011 Commuter Challenge. From June 5-11, thousands of Manitobans chose to walk, cycle, telecommute, ride the bus, or carpool to work. Winnipeg claimed Gold nationally for the 8th time, holding the highest level of participation for cities in its population category. In an exciting development, Brandon scored Gold nationally for the first time ever in its category.
Over 7,300 employees at 241 workplaces across Manitoba participated in this national, friendly competition held to promote green commuting options during Environment Week, which ran from June 5 to 11. Manitobans logged almost 1 million ‘green’ kilometres during the Commuter Challenge, resulting in 71,500 litres of fuel saved, 167,000 kg of GHG emissions avoided, and 6.7 million calories burned for those who chose active transportation, such as walking or cycling.
“The number of participating workplaces increased by 44 this year,” noted Green Action Centre’s Commuter Challenge Coordinator Francine Carrier. “There seems to be an increased level of interest and awareness of the variety of commuting choices. The Challenge is a fun way to bring attention to this.”
Prizes were awarded to winning Manitoba workplaces with the highest participation levels at a luncheon held June 21 at The Fairmont Winnipeg. Manitoba Hydro, Investors Group, Canadian Wheat Board, The Fairmont Winnipeg, Public Works and Government Services Canada and GHY International each took Gold in their respective population categories. Scatliff+Miller+Murray, The Winnipeg Foundation and Parks Canada at The Forks tied for Gold in their category. (Please see below for full breakdown.)
The goal of the Commuter Challenge is to encourage Manitobans to choose active and green commuting year-round and to recognize those who are already riding the bus, walking, cycling, carpooling or telecommuting. Green Action Centre is a non-profit, community-based organization that coordinates the Commuter Challenge in Manitoba and provides ongoing assistance to workplaces, schools and individuals to live greener and better.
Green Action Centre would like to thank all of the volunteers, prize donors, and the 2011 Commuter Challenge sponsors, including Winnipeg Transit, City of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, MTS, Winnipeg Free Press, Investors Group, Assiniboine Credit Union, Great-West Life, and Manitoba Public Insurance for making this event possible.
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For more information, please contact:
Francine Carrier
Commuter Challenge Coordinator
challenge@greenactioncentre.ca
Phone: (204) 925-3779
2011 Commuter Challenge Results – Workplace Winners
3000+ Employees
GOLD: Manitoba Hydro, 16% participation
SILVER: Government of Manitoba, 9% participation
1000-2999 Employees
GOLD: Investors Group, 18% participation
SILVER: CRA – Winnipeg Tax Centre, 14% participation
500-999 Employees
GOLD: Canadian Wheat Board, 29% participation
SILVER: Assiniboine Credit Union, 25% participation
200-499 Employees
GOLD: The Fairmont Winnipeg, 94% participation
SILVER: EISI, 57% participation
100-199 Employees
GOLD: Public Works and Government Services Canada, 82%participation
SILVER: Varian Medical Systems, 54% participation
50-99 Employees
GOLD: GHY International, 91% participation
SILVER: Parks Canada – WNSC, 81% participation
20-49 Employees
100%: Scatliff + Miller + Murray
100%: The Winnipeg Foundation
100%: Parks Canada at The Forks
1-19 Employees – 100% Participation
Exchange District BIZ
Safety Logic
Kirby Design
MacroElite Corp.
Peg City Car Co-op
Red River Basin Commission
Climate Change Connection
Jonnies Sticky Buns
Natural Healing Veterinary Care
Voitec Architect Inc.
Food Matters Manitoba
CCME
Olympia Cycle
Emerge Knowledge
Aesops Veterinary Care
Green Action Centre
Cibinel Architects Ltd.
