MEIA News and Announcements
MEIA Emerging Issues 2020: Adapting to a Changing World – Keynote Announcement!
MEIA is excited to announce two Emerging Issues 2020 keynote speakers, Wade Davis and Lital Marom!
Wade Davis is an Anthropologist, Author and Explorer and has been described as “a rare combination of scientist, scholar, poet and passionate defender of all of life’s diversity.” Davis holds degrees in anthropology and biology and received his Ph.D. in ethnobotany, all from Harvard University. He has published over 200 scientific and popular articles on subjects ranging from Haitian vodoun and Amazonian myth and religion to the global biodiversity crisis. If you missed his article in The Rolling Stone this summer, read it here.
Lital Marom challenges current and future leaders to develop a bolder vision for human potential. She believes that from human potential springs business potential, and it should be used to create a more sustainable, inclusive future. An internationally-recognized keynote speaker, Lital is a thought leader on innovation, digital transformation, the platform economy, agile leadership and the future of work.
MEIA’s Emerging Issues 2020 Adapting to a Changing World virtual conference will take place this year the week of November 23rd. Stay tuned for more updates about speakers, networking, registration, and sponsorship opportunities!
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Whiteshell Decommissioning Project Tour
The MEIA was pleased to organize a tour at The Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Whiteshell Decommissioning Project, one of the largest environmental remediation projects in Canada. Many MEIA members were able to attend, including Pinchin, Wood, Miller Environmental, ALS, and Manitoba Hydro. Our group was joined by Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko and representatives from Manitoba Conservation and Climate, and Manitoba Economic Development and Training. Special thanks to our hosts and tour guides at CNL – Alanna Wilcox, Brian Wilcox and Adriana Luke. The project is a international marvel example in waste management
For more info see video here
Manitoba Association of Regional Recyclers (MARR) Community Recycling and Waste Reduction Forum
MEIA is looking forward to partnering again with MARR in support of their annual Community Recycling and Waste Reduction Forum. Details coming soon!
MARR is made up of individuals who are responsible for recycling and waste management in municipalities, as well as industry partners involved in these processes. MARR brings innovations in recycling and waste management to share with other members.
Upcoming MEIA Training & Events
H2S Alive Certification Training
Tuesday, October 13th
9:00am – 5:00pm
Elite Safety Services, 3000 McGillivray Blvd, Unit 105, Oak Bluff, Manitoba
$35
Students will learn how to work safely in and around hydrogen sulphide (H2S) environments and receive a 3-year certificate.
The Course Covers:
• H2S properties, health hazards and locations – including worker exposure limits
• Hazard assessment and control – Including H2S case studies
• Respiratory protective equipment – Including self-contained breathing apparatus
• Detection of H2S – Gas detection demonstrations with various detection devices
• Initial response strategy – 7 steps; including 4 rescue techniques and case studies
*Please note: The classroom is configured for physical distancing. We require that all class participants respect a 6ft distancing between participants and the instructor at all times. If any participants are feeling ill or experiencing signs and/or symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, they will be asked to leave the training area. Due to the increase of COVID-19 in Manitoba, Elite Safety Services Inc. has implemented mandatory mask/face covering in all facilities. Click here to register
Optimizing Geothermal Design Webinar
In Partnership with ManSEA
Wednesday, October 14
10:00am – 11:00am
Online
$10
Click here to register
As part of the ongoing collaboration between the Manitoba Sustainable Energy Association (ManSEA) and the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA), we are excited to announce the second webinar in a series on renewable energy and energy alternatives, Optimizing Geothermal Design. A recording of the webinar will be available for $15 for anyone who missed the opportunity to participate live.
Presented by Ed Lohrenz, GEOptimize Inc. Find out about what a geothermal heat pump system is, important considerations in designing a system, success stories (and examples of why a design was not as successful as it could have been), design process, feasibility assessment software and the benefits of monitoring ground heat exchanger performance over the life of the building.
Eric Souque, Efficiency Manitoba will briefly share with us a bit about the commercial offers from Efficiency Manitoba, and specifically their Ground Source Heat Pump incentive.
A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
Marketing in the Time of COVID
October 19, 2020 – October 29, 2020
Online
Member Price: $30 per session or $75 for all 4 sessions
Non-member pricing: $60 per session or $150 for all 4 sessions
MEIA MEMBERS: Register through MEIA to receive the member discount by contacting us at (204) 783-7090 or [email protected]
This opportunity is a Bioscience Association of Manitoba event MEIA is helping to promote for the benefit of all industry. This virtual workshop will take place over the course of four days from Oct 19th to Oct 29th
Register for one, two or all four modules. These sessions are targeted to growth-oriented businesses who are looking to increase sales and to scale their enterprises. Take this opportunity to learn from industry experts, to ask your questions and explore ways to pivot your business to deal with the challenges presented by COVID. At each module, new sources of funding will be described. PLUS, the first 10 SME’s to register will receive 2 hours of mentorship with one of our speakers.
Student Chapter Speed Mentoring Night
Tuesday, October 20
7:00pm
Online
MEIA Student Chapter Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5
Speed mentoring is a riff on speed dating that allows students to meet multiple mentors in a short time. Students come prepared to ask mentors in the environmental industry specific questions about careers within the industry. Register at [email protected]
Member News and Announcements
ECO Canada’s ECO Community Impact Award – Open for Nominations
New for the 2021 awards, the ECO Community Impact Award was created to recognize positive contributions to the environment around the country. The award will recognize individuals or groups who have displayed a dedication to environmental advocacy, sustainable initiatives, and environmental skill and knowledge development.Nominations are open and encouraged. Nominees will submit a video showcasing and highlighting the impact of their project.
All video submissions will be reviewed and finalists will be determined by our judging panel. The finalists’ videos will then be featured for voting on the Impact Awards website.
Nominations will close on October 31, 2020. The winner will be announced at the 2021 Impact Awards Learning Series and Gala held online on January 28, 2021.
Click here for more information
ECO Canada Employment Programs
ECO Canada’s Employment Programs connect environmental employers with skilled junior talent These programs offer wage subsidies to drive valuable on-the-job work experience and essential skills training. Follow the links below to discover if you are eligible and get started
- Co-op Student Placement
- Science Horizons Youth Internship Program
- Youth Employment in Natural Resources
- Digital Skills for Youth
Click here for more information
#MBPoli Power Hour feat. The Hon. Ralph Eichler, Minister of Economic Development & Training
October 13, 2020
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Online
$14.99 – $18.99
Minister Eichler will provide an update on his portfolio’s mandate and the challenges facing businesses moving forward during a moderated Q&A hosted by MCC President & CEO Chuck Davidson. We’ll discuss pandemic recovery and growth strategies, key industry investments, access to capital, workforce & skills training, alignment with post-secondary, interprovincial barriers, and more.To learn more about the webinar and to register, click here.
Africa and the Circular Economy: Opportunities, Benefits and Trends
October 15th, 2020
6:00am – 12:00pm
Conference session are free. A small fee of $50 USD for B2B deal rooms.
The World Trade Centre Winnipeg are partnering with the World Trade Centre Accra, in Ghana, for an online conference and B2B event. Two MEIA Member companies Enerpure (formerly HD Petroleum) and Core Renewable Energy will be speaking as part of this conference.
Objectives:
- Promote the Circular Economy in Africa
- Expose the economic opportunities for the Circular Economy in Africa
- Match foreign businesses in the Circular Economy to potential partners in Africa
- Stimulate partnerships to address gaps in the adoption of the Circular Economy in Africa
These are the subsectors of the circular economy that will be covered:
- Water and environmental control
- Renewable energy
- Agriculture and food processing
- Packaging and plastics
- General manufacturing and industry
- Green building and infrastructure
- Automobile and logistics
- Oil and Gas
Click here for more information and to register
Other News and Events
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Request for Proposals
Project 652-2021– Climate Change Adaptation Indicators
Project Description: The Contractor will develop an inventory of adaptation indicators for pan-Canadian reporting on climate change adaptation, and develop a report on best practices for adopting adaptation indicators.
Closing Date/Time: October 27, 2020 12:00 noon CST
Project Status: Open for competition
Request for Proposals – 652-2021
Sample CCME professional services contract
Excerpt from the Federal Speech from the Throne
The federal government outlined several measures relevant to MEIA members and the natural resources, energy, environment and clean technology sector.
An excerpt of the speech that highlights sections of note can be read here.
Read the full speech here
Natural Resources Canada’s Industrial Energy Management Program – Now Accepting Applications
Natural Resources Canada’s Industrial Energy Management program is now accepting applications for funding until November 20 at 23:59 EST for projects to be completed by March 31, 2022. To request the application package, send an email to RFP for Industry.
Financial assistance is available to help fund your industrial facility’s energy management project. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will provide financial assistance of up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $40,000 per facility. This financial assistance can be combined with other funding sources. When it is, NRCan may adjust its level of funding so that the combined level of financial assistance from all public sources does not exceed 75% of total eligible project costs.
There are three types of eligible projects:
- ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard projects
- Energy Management Information Systems (EMIA) projects
- Process Integration (PI) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies
Eligible facilities are those engaged in energy consuming processes that involve the physical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products. Products may be finished (ready to use or consume) or semi-finished (raw material). Related activities include assembling component parts, blending materials, and finishing products.To receive our cost-shared assistance, the company/facility needs to be a CIPEC leader.
Click here for more information
BioTalent Canada: Science and Technology Internship Program
The Science and Technology Internship Program – Green Jobs covers the cost of a new hire’s salary by 75% to a maximum of $22,500/yr and $30,000/yr for youth furthest from employment. These funds help employers hire the talent they need and help youth initiate a career. Employers can bring on an eager, young worker for a special project – and at the end of the placement end up with a skilled candidate already oriented to their company. Youth from northern and remote communities have an opportunity for an increased subsidy.
Natural Resources include the fields of energy, forestry, and minerals and metals as well as earth sciences
Eligibility
To qualify as a natural resource STEM job related to the green economy, the position needs to fall in one of the two categories:
- Jobs that require environmental skills, knowledge, experience or competencies in order to produce products or services that have an environmental benefit. Examples include:
- Architects and land use planners who incorporate sustainability into designs, air quality engineers and conservation officers.
- Jobs that may not require specialized environmental skills but result in an environmental benefit.
For specific application and eligibility details, please download the full application package.
Click here for more information
Water Canada Webinar: Window on Wastewater
October 21, 2020
12:00pm
Online
$45 + HST
Join Water Canada and the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) on October 21, 2020 for the final installment of the Window on Water webinar series. During this webinar, we’ll be focusing on wastewater management and regulations.
In particular, we’re going to receive updates related to the Wastewater System Effluents Regulations (WSER). Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is proposing to amend the approval for transitional authorizations to allow some communities more time to meet the regulatory requirements. We’re also going to learn about regulatory solutions for the far north where both the climate and the remote nature of the communities continues to pose a challenge.
In addition to providing updates related to WSER, ECCC will provide an update on federal research on emerging contaminants in wastewater streams. During this update, ECCC will discuss the ecological impacts and the role of wastewater utilities in protecting the environment.
Finally, we’ll get an update on work being done to identify affordable and attainable wastewater solutions for small communities, CWWA’s advocacy work to encourage changes to the Ontario Building Code, and an update on CWWA’s Wastewater Committee activities.
Click here for more information and to register.