News Release
Winnipeg – June 20, 2012
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Winnipeg keeps national title, Wabowden also wins Gold, and Manitoba is first overall!

Green Action Centre is pleased to announce the results of the 2012 Commuter Challenge. From June 3-9, thousands of Manitobans chose to walk, run, cycle, rollerblade, paddle, telecommute, ride the bus or carpool to work. Winnipeg claimed Gold nationally for the 9th time, with the highest participation for cities in its population category. In an exciting development, Wabowden scored Gold for the first time ever. Manitoba led the provinces with the highest rate of participation overall.

Over 6,000 employees at 233 workplaces across Manitoba participated in this annual, friendly competition. Commuter Challenge promotes green commuting options during Canadian Environment Week. Manitobans logged approximately 600,000 ‘green’ kilometres, resulting in $41,000 in fuel saved, 100,000 kg of greenhouse gas emissions avoided and 5.5 million calories burned.

Says Green Action Centre Executive Director, Randall McQuaker, “The great success of the Commuter Challenge in Manitoba over the past years shows that people across the province are willing to try climate-friendly ways of getting around.”

Prizes were awarded to Manitoba workplaces with the highest participation levels at a luncheon held June 19th at The Fairmont Winnipeg. Manitoba Hydro, Investors Group, Assiniboine Credit Union, The Fairmont Winnipeg, Public Works and Government Services Canada and GHY International each took Gold in their respective size categories. Scatliff+Miller+Murray, The Winnipeg Foundation and Mountain Equipment Co-op tied for Gold in their category. (Please see list 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 doing so.

Green Action Centre would like to thank all of the volunteers, prize donors, and the 2012 Commuter Challenge sponsors: Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Transit, Manitoba Hydro, Investor’s Group, Great West Life, Manitoba Public Insurance, Assiniboine Credit Union, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.

CONTACT:

Chelsea May, Commuter Challenge Coordinator, Green Action Centre

Workplace Winners

3000+ Employees

• GOLD: Manitoba Hydro
• SILVER: Manitoba Government Employees

1000-2999 Employees

• GOLD: Investors Group
• SILVER: University of Manitoba

500-999 Employees

• GOLD: Assiniboine Credit Union
• SILVER: Red River College

200-499 Employees

• GOLD: The Fairmont Winnipeg
• SILVER: Delta Winnipeg

100-199 Employees

• GOLD: Public Works and Government Services Canada
• SILVER: Taylor McCaffrey LLP

50-99 Employees

• GOLD: GHY International
• SILVER: Dillon Consulting Ltd

20-49 Employees – 100% Participation

• Mountain Equipment Co-op
• Scatliff+Miller+Murray
• The Winnipeg Foundation

1-19 Employees – 100% Participation

• 17 Wing Winnipeg, Health Promotion
• Aesops Veterinary Care
• Assiniboine Regional Health Authority
• Canadian CED Network
• CCME
• Climate Change Connection
• Electranix Corporation
• Emerge Knowledge
• Green Action Centre
• Integrated Designs
• Kirby Design
• Manitoba Eco-Network
• Manitoba Recreational Trails Association, Inc
• MCIC
• Natural Healing Veterinary Care
• Olympia Cycle
• Peg City Car Co-op
• Prologica Research Inc
• RBC Global Asset Management
• Red River Basin Commission
• The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
• The Wolseley Elm
• West End Cultural Centre
• Winnipeg Architecture Foundation Inc
• Wabowden Community Council