Ottawa, Ontario, June 3, 2005 -- On the occasion of Environment Week, the federal department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) has an important tale to tell about “greening” government - a story that will only get bigger and better in the years to come. In fact, Minister Scott Brison has set the goal of helping Canada play a "green" leadership role not only at home but also in the wider world. Mr. Brison feels good environmental policy is also good economic policy. For example by expanding direct deposits, PWGSC will save the government $86 million this year, and reduce paper consumption equivalent to 45,000 trees. Between 1990 and 2003, PWGSC cut greenhouse gas emissions in our office inventory by 24%. At the same time that reduced operating expenditures by $16 million per year. And now the department is kicking into an even higher gear by officially establishing a new Office of Greening Government Operations (OGGO). This office will bring together people with skills in policy, engineering, and contracting to view the operations across government through a green lens. The pioneer acting Director General of OGGO, Margaret Kenny says "If we’re going to be asking Canadians and businesses to change the way they conduct their day to day operations, government has to go the extra mile and show leadership as well." And it’s working from a strong base. Consider procurement. PWGSC is developing a new policy on Green Procurement for all purchases, including power, by 2006. This is no small matter - the federal government spends more than $13 billion each year on goods and services making it the largest purchasing agent in the country. Earlier this year, PWGSC held a Forum on Green Procurement to exchange information on innovative products that are now available such as paper, remanufactured or recycled toner cartridges, and photocopiers. Soon the department will launch the Government of Canada Marketplace, an e-portal that will help identify green products and track green purchasing. "Let’s face it - in general, the private sector is not all that interested in buying green until the products are widely available at a competitive price," said Minister Brison. "So we want to help create the market. As the biggest buyer in the land, we can stimulate the supply of and the demand for environmentally responsible goods." When it comes to vehicles, the department has shrunk the size of its vehicle fleet by almost two-thirds since 1993. About 40% of the remaining vehicles now run on ethanol, propane, natural gas or are gasoline-electric hybrids, including the car used by the Minister. When is comes to office buildings, the department is trying to achieve the government’s goal of buying 20% of federal electricity requirements from non-polluting renewable energy sources. For example, federal facilities in Alberta, Saskatchewan and P.E.I. are already buying wind-generated electricity. The department would buy a lot more renewable energy but it simply doesn’t exist in the quantities necessary. So PWGSC is hoping to provide the kind of demand that will help build that capacity. It’s leadership through example. New federal buildings now need to be at least 25% more energy-efficient than the Model National Energy Code for Buildings. In addition new government office buildings should now meet what’s called the LEED Gold Standard for sustainability. In fact, the new Government of Canada building going up in Charlottetown will be the most environmentally friendly building ever built by the department. Finally, PWGSC is taking a leadership role in the remediation of contaminated sites. One project of particular note is the clean-up of the Sydney tar ponds in Nova Scotia. The department is also helping with contaminated sites in the north. Being involved in remediation is creating a specialized expertise within PWGSC. It’s building a domestic capacity that doesn’t now exist to clean up contaminated sites. And that environmental expertise could someday be exported internationally to help with the remediation of polluted sites in the developing world. - 30 - For further information please contact: Public Works and Government Services Canada Mario Baril Manager, Media Relations Tel.: (819) 956-2315
