Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating Celebrates Earth Day with the Launch of Because Water Matters Website

New website will educate Canadians about the crucial role
plumbing plays in water conservation and our day-to-day lives

TORONTO, April 19, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - This Sunday marks the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day: a day when we celebrate our planet by focusing on the environmental awareness and conservation that will shape a more sustainable future.

However, it's been over four decades since the first Earth Day and, surprisingly, many Canadian are still misinformed about the huge impact simple plumbing changes can have with respect to water conservation. As an example, a recent survey by the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), a not-for-profit trade association representing Canada's manufacturers and wholesaler distributors of plumbing and hydronic heating products, revealed:

...Half of Canadians would select a shower head with high-pressure over one with high-efficiency;

...Nearly 4 in 10 Canadians still leave the water running while brushing their teeth;

...Most Canadians underestimate the annual water savings gained switching to a high-efficiency toilet by more than 17,000 L per annum.

That's why CIPH is launching Because Water Matters, a website created to: educate Canadians about the crucial role plumbing plays in water conservation; and highlight trends and technology in the plumbing industry.

"Most Canadians know what changes they need to make to be more water efficient in the home," says Ralph Suppa, president and general manager of CIPH, "but our survey uncovered a gap between principle and practice. At CIPH, we surmise several reasons for this trend: in the case of high-efficiency plumbing products such as showerheads and toilets, there's often a misconception that the sustainable choice has performance tradeoffs. Another misconception lies in the public underestimating the amount of water than can be saved by efficient plumbing products. Most simple plumbing changes can literally save tens of thousands of litres each year."

Because Water Matters contains facts and figures about water usage, in addition to tips and trivia to get Canadians thinking about plumbing and wise-water behavioural changes. The site will also feature CIPH-produced videos showcasing technology and trends in the plumbing industry. The first video, developed for Earth Week, is online now and can be viewed by clicking here.

"Our goal is to shatter misconceptions and bridge the gap between principle and practice when it comes to sustainable water use in Canada," adds Ralph. "Water has always been of paramount importance to our members and through Because Water Matters, we can share their passion for all things plumbing with Canadians and make a real difference for the environment."

To learn more about Because Water Matters, visit www.ciph.com/becausewatermatters and follow the CIPH Twitter stream (@CIPHNews) for website updates and other plumbing news.

About the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating:

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating is a not-for-profit trade association. Founded in 1933, the Institute is a vibrant organization committed to providing members with the tools for success in today's competitive environment. More than 260 companies are members of this influential Canadian industry association. They are the manufacturers, wholesaler distributors, master distributors, manufacturers' agents and allied companies who manufacture and distribute plumbing, hydronic heating, industrial, waterworks and other mechanical products. CIPH wholesaler distributors operate more than 700 warehouses and showrooms across Canada. Total industry sales exceed $5 billion annually. For more information, visit www.ciph.com

Canada on track to install more than 1,500 MW of new wind energy capacity in a record setting 2012

50,000 MW of new wind energy capacity projected to be built in North America in the next five years and emerging markets are playing a growing role in driving the fast-growing wind energy sector worldwide

OTTAWA, April 17, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canada will enjoy another record year for wind energy development in 2012 with the addition of approximately 1,500 MW of new installed capacity, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). The projection was highlighted in the five-year industry forecast published today by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) at Europe's largest wind energy conference in Copenhagen.

Canada's wind energy industry enjoyed a record year in 2011 with approximately 1,267 MW of new wind energy capacity representing an investment of $3.1 billion and creating 13,000 person-years of employment. Canada was in 6th place globally in terms of new installed wind energy capacity in 2011 and currently has 5,403 MW of total installed capacity - enough to power more than 1.2 million homes. Canada's wind energy industry is now on track to easily surpass 10,000 MW of total installed capacity by 2015 - providing new opportunities for Canadian manufacturers and bringing significant levels of new investment, jobs and economic benefits to rural communities and landowners across the country.

"Canada, and in particular Ontario, has emerged as a very competitive destination for wind energy investment globally. This industry represents billions of dollars in new investments across the manufacturing and construction sectors. Wind energy is playing a growing role in delivering clean, safe and affordable energy as provinces look to build stronger electricity systems. Maintaining this growth and momentum will require continued commitments to aggressive targets for wind energy development and a stable policy framework," said Robert Hornung, President of CanWEA.

In North America, just over 50,000 MW is expected to be installed in 2012-2016, bringing its total to just over 100,000 MW of wind energy at the end of the period. GWEC expects a strong 2012 for North America as both Canada and Mexico project well over 1,000 MW of wind energy capacity to be installed - complementing another strong year for the US which began the year with more than 8,000 MW under construction. The global wind energy industry will install more than 46,000 MW of new wind energy capacity in 2012. Overall, GWEC projects average annual market growth rates of about 8 per cent for the next five years. Total new installations for the 2012-2016 period are expected to reach 255,000 MW. A significant portion of this growth will be driven by China, India and Brazil, with important contributions also coming from new markets in Latin America, Africa and Asia. The top 10 global leaders for new installed capacity in 2011: PR China (17,631 MW), USA (6,810 MW), India (3,019 MW), Germany (2,086 MW), UK (1,293 MW), Canada (1,267 MW), Spain (1,050 MW), Italy (950 MW), France (830 MW), Sweden (763 MW).

Click here for Canada's installed capacity.

Click here for GWEC's 2011 annual report.

About CanWEA

CanWEA is the voice of Canada's wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its more than 420 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada's leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. To join other global leaders in the wind energy industry, CanWEA believes Canada can and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the country's electricity from wind by 2025. The document Wind Vision 2025 - Powering Canada's Future is available at www.canwea.ca.

Agriculture Canada cutbacks contradict federal focus on jobs and innovation

Elimination of successful public/private partnership will hurt co-operatives' ability to leverage funds at provincial, community levels

OTTAWA, April 13, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Representatives of Canada's co-operative movement say cutbacks at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada run counter to the government's stated goals of creating jobs, promoting partnerships between the public and private sectors and fostering innovation. The announcement also calls into question the government's support for the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, which Canada publicly endorsed when the UN resolution was adopted in 2009.

Canada's national co-operative associations have learned that the Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI), a program that has provided financial support for new and emerging co-operatives since 2003, will not be continued and that the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat, the government office that administers programs related to co-operatives, will be significantly reduced in size.

The cuts come as the co-operative movement in Canada and around the world is celebrating the International Year of Co-operatives, which was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the contribution co-operatives make to the economic and social development of communities. The 2009 UN resolution that proclaimed the International Year, which was supported by Canada, called on governments to take measures aimed at creating a supportive environment for the development of co-operatives.

"If the government is truly committed to creating jobs and fostering innovation, we can't understand why it would cut a program that cost very little - just over $4 million a year - and made a difference in hundreds of communities across the country," said Denyse Guy, executive director of the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA), one of two national associations that jointly administers the CDI program on behalf of the government. "This program was a partnership between the public and private sectors; it created jobs, fostered innovation, and gave co-operatives the ability to leverage additional funds at the provincial and community levels."

"The cuts in the CDI program and the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat send a very disturbing signal for all Canadian co-operatives," said Brigitte Gagné, executive director of the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité, which co-manages the program with CCA. "We view this as a lack of recognition of the importance of co-operatives in job creation and economic growth in this country. We don`t understand this decision, in light of the program's success. We are now waiting for a concrete gesture on behalf of the Harper government to show its support for the co-operative sector."

Co-operative Development Initiative

The Co-operative Development Initiative is a unique federal program devoted to co-operatives. This program, whose objective is to stimulate the creation and expansion of co-operative enterprises, has supported the creation of more than 300 new community-based co-operatives since its inception in 2003. Over the past three years, CDI has provided advice and assistance to more than 1,600 groups interested in developing co-operatives and has aided the development of 700 existing co-operatives. In several provinces, CDI provides the only funding available for the development of co-operatives.

Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat

The Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat provides an essential link between the government and the co-operative sector. Staff reductions in the Secretariat will severely affect the dialogue between Canada's 9,000 co-operatives and the federal government. The budget cuts to the Secretariat will also have a direct impact on the promotion of the co-operative model and the coordination of federal government programs related to co-operatives.

Co-operatives in Canada

Canada's 9,000 co-operatives have more than 18 million members, 155,000 employees, annual revenues of more than $50 billion and assets of more than $370 billion. Canadian co-operatives are represented by two national associations, the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité (CCCM).

The $1300 Chicken Coop: Williams Sonoma Goes Agrarian

photo credit: © Williams Sanoma

from TreeHugger.com
by Sami Grover - Living / Lawn & Garden

Whenever we write about fancy chicken coop designs or new urban beehives, the hardier back-to-the-landers among us invariably pour scorn over yuppie hippie wannabes and their expensive tastes.

But given the fact that we'd all be better off if more of us grew our own food and understood where it comes from, and given that some folks are willing to pay above-the-odds for products they don't have to make themselves and fit in with their own style and aesthetics, whose to begrudge the richer greenies among us their right to spend what they like on their gardening supplies? After all, I'd rather see someone drop a large amount of cash on a fancy chicken coop than on another SUV.

Either way, this debate is likely to get dredged up again as Williams Sonoma launches its line of Agrarian gardening supplies. From chicken coops through beehives to seeds, there's some nice looking—if expensive—stuff here. There is also some pointless fluff.

Let's take a look.

The Alexandria Chicken Coop and Run mobile chicken coop (aka a chicken tractor) and run is handcrafted in the USA from certified-sustainable wood. At $879.95 for the coop, and $399.95 for the run, I can't imagine there are many places where you couldn't hire a carpenter to build you something equally beautiful for a fraction of the cost—but as I argued above, that is not the point. If this means more 1%ers start keeping their own hens, then I am all for it. I wonder what eggs taste like when chickens are fed leftover caviar anyway?

The Backyard Beehive

During my stint as a failed beekeeper, I spent a good few hundred dollars on hives, bees and equipment. A starter kit from Williams Sonoma would have cost me $499.95, but at least I would have had a beautiful copper roof on my hive.

My one concern, having demonstrated first hand that ill-trained hobbyists can neglect their bees to death, is whether kits like these encourage folks with an overly romantic notion of beekeeping to take it up before they are ready. But then, who am I to judge?

Shiitake Mushroom Log

This one might be a tasty gift, but it is a little odd if we are going to talk about green living. For $30, plus shipping, Williams Sanoma will send you a hardwood log inoculated with shiitake mushroom spawn. Having inoculated my own shiitake logs, I can attest to the joy of mushroom growing. But to be shipping around hardwood logs for the mushroom fruits that will grow out of them seems to have gotten the whole food miles concept a little backwards in my book.

Garden Twine

OK, this is where it really does get a little silly. For $14.95 you can buy some twine in a can. Enough said. And don't even get me started on the $16 heirloom tomato plant...

All-in-all, it is a fascinating sign of the times that Williams Sonoma is offering all the trappings of the back-to-the-land lifestyle, albeit at a premium price. And while some of the items really are incredibly expensive, there are also some solid looking pieces of equipment that should serve their owners well. Yes, you could build them for cheaper yourself, or find their equivalent at your local garden center. But for those who like Williams Sonoma's aesthetic and have the cash to spare, I say all power to you if you want to house your chickens in luxury.

But please, do go buy your twine at the hardware store. Feel free to send me a check if the money you save starts burning a hole in your pocket...

Canada crowns Stirling-Rawdon with the title of Kraft Hockeyville 2012

Receives a 2012-2013 NHL® Pre-Season Game, $100,000 in arena upgrades from Kraft Canada and a visit from CBC's Hockey Night in Canada

STIRLING-RAWDON, Ontario, March 31, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The buzzer has sounded, the votes are in and the news is official - Stirling-Rawdon is Kraft Hockeyville 2012. After weeks of determined campaigning, culminating with a national vote to select the winner, Stirling-Rawdon has earned the title of Canada's most passionate hockey community.

Stirling-Rawdon will host a 2012-2013 NHL® pre-season game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets, receive $100,000 in arena upgrade money from Kraft Canada, and enjoy a visit from CBC's Hockey Night In Canada. The Ontario town will also receive $10,000 in food bank donations from Kraft Canada.

The four runner-up communities, all of which displayed incredible solidarity and enthusiasm throughout the competition, will have their efforts rewarded with $25,000 each from Kraft Canada to go towards the social hubs they so passionately promoted - their local arena.

More than 11 million votes were registered for the Top 5 communities, between March 17 and March 20, 2012. A breakdown of the final tally follows:

REGION COMMUNITY ARENA Votes

Ontario Stirling-Rawdon, Ontario Stirling District Recreation Centre 3,986,769

Pacific West Kelowna, British Columbia Royal LePage Place 2,789,594

Quebec Amos, Quebec Complexe Sportif De Amos 2,207,511

Atlantic Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Mariners Centre 1,655,475

West Duck Lake, Saskatchewan Beardy's Memorial Arena 903,260

"Just like in hockey, this competition requires passion and teamwork to win" said Dino Bianco, President, Kraft Canada. "I'd like to congratulate the community of Stirling-Rawdon for their tireless effort, passion and creativity. We look forward to showcasing your winning spirit when we visit this fall."

"CBC is delighted to continue to positively impact the lives of communities across Canada through Kraft Hockeyville 2012," said Julie Bristow, Executive Director, Studio and Unscripted Programming, CBC. "Alongside the NHL, NHLPA and Kraft Canada, Kraft Hockeyville allows us to bring the great sport of hockey to communities such as Stirling-Rawdon, ON that have a passion and desire to increase exposure and participation in the sport."

"Great things happen when a community focuses its passion on a cause as exciting as Kraft Hockeyville," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "The National Hockey League is extremely pleased to join Kraft in supporting this outstanding program, which ensures the longevity of a neighborhood rink and creates a legacy of hockey opportunities."

"Kraft Hockeyville 2012 is a great achievement for Stirling-Rawdon, and the NHLPA congratulates the local community for demonstrating their passion for hockey to the rest of Canada," said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director. "Players enjoy being a part of Kraft Hockeyville, and the pre-season game in October will be another opportunity for the Players to connect with fans."

"We are thrilled to be participating in Kraft Hockeyville 2012 and look forward to an exciting visit with the members of Leafs Nation in Stirling-Rawdon next season," said Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke. "The Kraft Hockeyville program is a great celebration of the game of hockey and the Columbus Blue Jackets are proud to be taking part in this game," said club Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Howson. "We look forward to visiting Stirling-Rawdon next October and playing the Toronto Maple Leafs."

To view photos and videos, fans are encouraged to join the Kraft Hockeyville Facebook Fan page, check out coverage on NHL.com and follow @hockeyville on Twitter.

The Kraft Hockeyville partners would like to thank and congratulate all of the communities that participated in this year's competition.

Kraft Hockeyville 2012 partners are Kraft Canada, CBC, The National Hockey League (NHL), and The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA).

Kraft Canada has supported hockey for over 30 years through sponsorships and grassroots programs. Since its inception, the Kraft Hockeyville partners have provided over $1,000,000 in arena upgrade money, equipment, and local food bank donations.

Supporting brands for Kraft Hockeyville 2012 include Kraft Dinner, Cracker Barrel, Chips Ahoy, Tassimo, Oreo, and Maxwell House.

CBC, Hockey Night in Canada, Hockeyville, and CBC and Hockeyville logos are official marks of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. ©NHL 2012. All Rights Reserved. NHLPA and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of the NHLPA© and are used under license. All Rights Reserved.

Veterinarians want people to remember Buddy and his story

photo credit: S.E Photography/Via Flickr

MILTON, Ontario, March 29, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The staff at Walden Animal Hospital are busy planning the creation of a memorial so that no one forgets Buddy or his story. Buddy had been brought in by a caring citizen who found him bleeding at the side of a rural road in St. Charles, Sudbury, ON last week. Upon examination, the hospital determined "Buddy" had been shot in the face with a shotgun and began work immediately to stabilize him and focus on wound repair and pellet removal. "If Buddy's owner had bothered to seek a more humane end to buddy's life, they would have learned that they could have handed Buddy over to the local Humane Society, adoption could have been a new beginning for Buddy… even if euthanasia was necessary, this is a what veterinarians are trained to do, painlessly and with compassion," commented Dr. Carolyn Lariviere. Buddy's recovery story spread through social media, and funds started coming into the clinic from all over North America, adding up to $11,000. Walden Animal Hospital has since set up a trust fund for the donations.

"We are looking forward to building Buddy's memorial this spring. The site will be a garden area featuring a Wishing Well focal point constructed by a local craftsman. Buddy really inspired us, and we wanted his memorial to be a happy, hopeful place. The Wishing Well seemed like a perfect way to honour his memory. We will make an announcement when it is completed," adds Dr. Lariviere.

The cost of the memorial is being donated by the Walden Animal Hospital, this is their special gift to Buddy. The funds donated to Buddy by the public are strictly for "Buddy's Trust" which is dedicated to the medical care of abused and abandoned pets. Buddy's story raised awareness regarding the current legislation concerning animal cruelty and inspired many people to get involved. In the words of Dr. Lariviere,

"The memorial however, is a place to remember Buddy himself, and the generosity of spirit shown by the community towards a dog most only knew through photographs."

About the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (ovma.org)

Founded in 1980, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association represents thousands of veterinarians across Ontario in private practice, government, academia, industry and public service. Its mandate is to advance and promote excellence in the veterinary profession in Ontario, and contribute to the betterment of animal health and the protection of human health.

Report confirms agriculture continues to drive Canadian economy

GUELPH, Ontario March 28, 2012 – Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) - The recent annual report An Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System 2012, published by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada confirms the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (OFA) position that agriculture is a driving force in Canada’s economy.

The report, released March 26, provides an economic overview of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food system, and confirms the sector is becoming increasingly innovative, productive, integrated, competitive and modern. Economic and employment statistics show the agriculture and agri-food industry provided one in eight jobs in 2010 and employed more than 2 million people, an increase of 14 per cent between 1997 and 2010. The industry also accounted for more than eight per cent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a significant contribution to both federal and provincial economies.

“There’s never been a better time to highlight agriculture’s significant contribution to our economy,” says Mark Wales, OFA President. “Our industry has seen nothing but expansion, increased efficiencies and productivity and modernization, and we’re proud to see the report results reflect these positive changes.”

The annual report shows Canadians still enjoy some of the lowest food costs in the world, with food spending from stores accounting for almost 10 per cent of personal household expenditures in recent years. The food and beverage industry also accounts for significant contributions adding value and transforming primary production. In fact, 38 per cent of agricultural production is used as raw material inputs by the food processing industry, making it the most important manufacturing industry in Canada in 2010.

The agriculture and agri-food system is also a major employer in most provincial economies, contributing to jobs and economic activity. In Ontario, the agri-food industry contributes $33 billion to the provincial economy every year, provides jobs for 700,000 people and pays $7 billion in wages.

OFA looks forward to continuing to build agriculture’s economic role by working closely with the new Jobs and Prosperity Council, recently announced in the Ontario provincial budget. The Council will provide advice to the government on a new fund to support productivity growth and job creation in the business sector. OFA will work with the Ontario government to support farm businesses, encourage further productivity and an even greater economic contribution from agriculture.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 37,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.