August 2012

The Housing Treadmill: An article from CCCR

In Canada (and many other nations), the housing market has outgrown the wage structure to such an extent that even middle-class professionals cannot afford to live in the cities which they serve. The life energy people must expend and the debt required to afford a home in some parts of Canada forecloses ownership except for those with capital or those that got into the market years ago. We can do better, much better.

Canada Green Building Council's Green Neighbourhoods Survey

As part of the Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) mission to “Lead and accelerate the transformation to high-performing, healthy green buildings, homes and communities throughout Canada,” the CaGBC is continuing to develop programs and resources designed to support Canadian local governments in implementing sustainability initiatives. To determine what their next steps should be, the CaGBC has created a “Green Neighbourhoods” survey to gather your feedback.

PCP News - August Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiative of the Month

Both the City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo have purchased electric vehicles for their fleet operations in recent years and have installed charging stations for use by municipal fleet vehicles and residents alike. This article features the rationale behind the purchases and results of the vehicles' use in both municipalities. Access the article here.

New Video Release - Second panelist video of the CRC De-growth Series

Kathy Bardswick, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Co-operators Group Limited, was the second of four presenters on the panel put together for our March workshop on rethinking growth and prosperity, De-growth: A Critical Juncture?. Bardswick discusses how our societies have shifted from developing the systems that support us based on the "why", or reasons for developing these systems, to basing these systems on the "how" and "what", the products.

Moving Forward - Allons de l'avant

Narrated by Royal Roads University graduate, Raphael Shay, Moving Forward is a comprehensive review of the renewable energy technologies being used throughout New Brunswick. Join Raphael as he tours the Province of NB to connect with the people that are developing and paving way for a renewable energy future by exploring and implementing electricity-generating technologies, which rely on water, wind, sun, biomass and biogas.  Click here to access this documentary.