OTTAWA - Businesses and utilities across Canada are bringing the message about energy efficiency home to Canadians. Today, the Honourable Larry Bagnell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and MP for Yukon, presented the ENERGY STAR® Market Transformation Awards for innovation and leadership in promoting ENERGY STAR-qualified products in Canada. The awards ceremony is part of the ENERGY STAR participants' meeting being held in Ottawa. Mr. Bagnell presented the awards on behalf of the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). "I would like to congratulate the retailers, manufacturers and utilities on their leadership and achievement in encouraging Canadians to select the most energy-efficient products," said Mr. Bagnell. "This kind of collaboration is essential as we continue to strengthen the ENERGY STAR brand and get the message out to Canadians on the importance of energy efficiency as a way to help protect the environment, reduce energy costs and address climate change." Following are the 2005 winners of the ENERGY STAR Market Transformation Awards: Retailer of the Year: Centennial Windows Ltd. Manufacturer of the Year: Whirlpool Canada Inc. Utility of the Year: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) Promotional Campaign of the Year: SaskEnergy and Manitoba Hydro (co-winners) Participant of the Year: Sears Canada Inc. Advocate of the Year: Home Depot Canada Recruit of the Year: Corbeil Appliances Collaborative Initiative of the Year: Hydro-Québec The ENERGY STAR symbol is recognized around the world, and allows consumers to see at a glance which appliances, electronic goods, office equipment, heating and cooling equipment and other products are the most energy-efficient. There are ENERGY STAR-qualified products for both residential and commercial sectors, including compact fluorescent lights, windows and sliding doors, and vending machinges. Typically, they are 20- to 40-percent more efficient than conventional models. In Canada, the ENERGY STAR program is administered and promoted by NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency. Choosing ENERGY STAR-qualified products is also a way Canadians can participate in the Government of Canada's One-Tonne Challenge. The challenge encourages all Canadians to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent, or one tonne. For more information, visit http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/english/. The Government of Canada's approach to climate change is focused on making the right choices for Canada. This will ensure that the actions taken produce long-term and enduring results while maintaining a strong and growing economy. For more information on ENERGY STAR and the list of products that qualify, visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/index.cfm. FOR BROADCAST USE: Businesses and utilities across the country are bringing the message home to Canadians on energy efficiency. Today in Ottawa, the ENERGY STAR® Market Transformation Awards for innovation and leadership in encouraging Canadians to choose energy-efficient products. For more information, media may contact: Ghyslain Charron Tom Ormsby Media Relations Director of Communications Natural Resources Canada Office of the Minister Ottawa Natural Resources Canada (613) 992-4447 Ottawa (613) 996-2007 The following media backgrounder is also available: ENERGY STAR® Market Transformation Award Winners for 2005
