Commuter Challenge Saint John 2011

As you are no doubt aware,Commuter Challenge…Is a week-long event during Canadian Environment Week (June 5 – 11, 2011)Is a friendly competition between Canadian cities and workplacesEncourages Canadians to leave their cars at homeRewards walking, cycling, carpooling/ride-sharing, taking transit and telecommutingCelebrates active and sustainable transportationIs nationally hosted by Sustainable Alberta AssociationIs locally hosted by City Coordinators who support workplacesIn 2010 and in previous years, a number of New Brunswick and Saint John based government agencies, municipalities and corporations participated in the challenge (http://www.commuterchallenge.ca/?page_id=315&lang=en ) and we expect they will be keen to participate again.Commuter Challenge is a great opportunity to encourage alternative sustainable transportation.This year the City of Saint John Employee Sustainability Team (EST) proposes a challenge between City departments, and also proposes that the City challenge other corporations in Saint John and region.Also Uptown Saint John, Sustainability Saint John, and the Saint John Board of Trade have indicated support. We will be approaching School Districts 8 and 6, UNBSJ, and the Community College re their possible involvement.ecoMobility Saint John endorses this initiative and joins with them in promoting this effort. A number of the ecoMobility programs across the country, supported by Transport Canada, have made the Commuter Challenge an important part if their awareness effort.In conjunction with the EST and the City of Saint John, ecoMobility Saint John proposes to encourage all corporations and organizations in the city and region to enter the Challenge.Getting involved is easy – go to the website http://www.commuterchallenge.ca/?lang=en and select register as a workplace.Participation in alternative transportation in 2011 is particularly important, not just for Environment Week, but also during the whole period when harbor Bridge lanes are closed and Union Street and Station Street are closed for underground services work.We would also like you to register with ecoMOBILITY Saint John by emailingCraig CampbellCoordinatorSaint John ecoMobility Project forSustainable Alternative Transportationc/o Saint John Transit Commission55 McDonald StreetSaint John, N.B. E2J 0C7 Tel.: 506-658-4409craig.campbell@saintjohn.caecoMobility Saint John intends to provide an award to the Saint John area workplace that places highest in results from the Commuter Challenge. Note that the participation rate is evaluated at the national website and prorated to compensate for the differing sizes of participate groups. We will use the nation results in our evaluation for the SJ area award.A variety of event resources, including posters, are available on the website. Staff at Commuter Challenge also indicate that they are available to help modify the materials to serve you better. Also, the ecoMobility program may be able to make available some help in this regard.RECOMMENDATION:1. That the Commissions endorse this initiative2. That the Commissions forward this to the Common Council of the City of Saint John and recommend that Council engage enthusiastically with community corporations and organizations in this challenge.