| Oakville Chamber Environmental Advocacy Recognized with Award |
| Submitted: May 10th, 2012 By: |
Oakville Chamber Environmental Advocacy Recognized with Award ST. CATHARINES: The Oakville Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in raising awareness about air quality issues at the provincial level by encouraging the province to make Oakville the first municipality in Ontario to participate in a multi-stakeholder air quality pilot project. This work was recognized this weekend in St. Catharines with an Ontario Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Award. “Clean air is important to everybody – individuals, businesses and governments,” says John Sawyer, president of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. “Air quality is a cross-border issue, and to deal with it most effectively we need the provincial government to take the lead role. They are doing that. We therefore applaud the province’s work in bringing together a range of stakeholders – including residents, municipalities and the Chamber – in taking on this important initiative.” As part of their advocacy efforts, the Oakville Chamber of Commerce called on the provincial government in 2009 to take the lead on air quality policies across Ontario. Other stakeholders were part of the dialogue, and in August 2011 the province then announced a local air quality pilot project in the Oakville-Clarkson air shed. Premier Dalton McGuinty praised the pilot as an example of “effective multi-stakeholder engagement.” The Ministry of the Environment is also working with the Oakville-Clarkson community to establish an Air Zone Management Advisory Committee to improve air quality while enhancing the economic competitiveness of the region. The Oakville Chamber also received the honour because of their ability to help industry and businesses within the city contain their own emissions. The Advocacy Award was presented at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 100th Annual General Meeting and Convention in St. Catharines on May 5, 2012. The Advocacy Award is among several awards presented to chambers of commerce for excellence in leadership and delivery of impactful innovative programs and services. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the Oakville Chamber of Commerce as a member, and as a community leader. The Oakville Chamber is the voice of the Oakville business community. We provide member benefits including: advocacy, corporate benefits, networking opportunities, business development and educational forums. Our mission is to foster a healthy, engaged and sustainable business environment and economy in Oakville. |
