Pickering - Ajax - Whitby : In The News

Mohawk College wins top regional Smart Commute award

SmartCommute.ca Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The year is winding down, so it's no surprise top employer lists are piling in. The Smart Commute awards recognize the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Region's top employers when it comes to implementing smart commute programs. These are employers that demonstrate "exceptional leadership, innovation and success in motivating employees to re-think their commutes," according to the website's criteria.

It recognizes one overall Regional Employer of the Year in addition to individual awards given to organizations based on region. This year's top winner was Mohawk College. Mohawk's sustainability office played a key role in taking the crown as it supporting smart commute options thanks to its Discount Transit Pass program. In addition, the college offers carpool parking and sheltered bike parking, and has made transportation a "key element of their recent sire redevelopment" including new multi-use pathways that connect the campus to local neighbourhoods.

Here is the full list of winners broken down by region:

Parsons Brinckerhoff Employee Engagement Award - City of Mississauga

Smart Commute Champion - Sante Esposito

Smart Commute Brampton-Caledon Employer of the Year – Region of Peel

Smart Commute Central York Employer of the Year – Scholastic Canada Ltd. - Newmarket

Smart Commute Durham Employer of the Year – Region of Durham’s Hillsdale Estates & Terraces

Smart Commute Halton Employer of the Year – Halton Region

Smart Commute Hamilton Employer of the Year – Mohawk College

Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill Employer of the Year – Town of Richmond Hill

Smart Commute Mississauga Employer of the Year – Hatch Ltd.

Smart Commute Northeast Toronto Employer of the Year – Royal Bank of Canada RBC – York Mills

Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughan Employer of the Year – PowerStream

Smart Commute Toronto-Central Employer of the Year – Brookfield Properties – Queen’s Quay Terminal

To read about why each employer won the award, click here.

Original Source: SmartCommute.ca

Pickering backs plans for Rouge Valley National Park

DurhamRegion.com Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Plans to create a national park in the Rouge Valley are picking up steam.

On April 10, Pickering council voted to endorse a statement of intent from Parks Canada that confirms the commitment of all parties involved.

"A staff report noted that the creation of the park will require the transfer of lands from various governments and public agencies within and adjacent to the Rouge Valley, including Pickering. Once transferred, those lands will no longer be subject to taxes or payments in lieu of taxes."

"Planning discussions to identify the boundaries of the park are expected to begin this year under the direction of Parks Canada. No budget numbers for the park have been announced as yet."

The creation of a national park was announced during the June 2011 throne speech.

Read the full story here

Original Source: DurhamRegion.com