MEIA News and Announcements
MEIA and Red River College Launch Energy Advisor Program
Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA), in collaboration with Red River College, is pleased to announce the launch of an Energy Advisor training program.
The 15-week, part-time micro-credential program was developed to meet the need for Energy Advisors (EAs) to help deliver the one million EnerGuide rating services for eligible homes in Canada, as per the federal government’s Greener Homes initiative.
“The opportunity to partner with RRC for a made-in-Manitoba Energy Advisor training program will not only help fill the immediate demand for EAs, but also help ensure homeowners get quality information on how best to make their homes more energy efficient, while taking advantage of grant incentives,” says Jack Winram, Executive Director, Manitoba Environmental Industries Association.
“Additionally, there will be positive economic impacts on private sector jobs created through energy efficiency upgrades offered by Efficiency Manitoba programs, home construction and renovations.”
The EA courses will be offered starting this fall in a blended learning environment — a mix of online, in-person labs at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus and in-field experience (subject to Public Health guidelines). For more information, or to register now, click here.
MEIA Renewable Industry Workforce Strategy Survey
Following up on our 2016 Probe Research Report on CleanTech Industry in Manitoba, MEIA commissioned DLF Consulting to issue a study and corresponding report on Manitoba’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industry (REI). The purpose of the report was to identify opportunities for training and workforce development while creating recommendations that respond appropriately to the demands of a rapidly growing sector; made possible through the dissemination of a digital survey to over 500 individuals and organizations currently working within the REI. Thank you to everyone who participated in this survey!
Click here to view the report.
Upcoming MEIA Training & Events
Soil Sampling and Potable Water and Groundwater Sampling Courses
In Partnership with the University of Manitoba
Soil Online: September 14 at 8:00am – 12:00pm
Water Online: September 15 at 8:00am – 12:30pm
Field Portion: September 16 at 8:00am-4:00pm
The Soil Sampling course will provide hands on field instruction in soil sampling and drill rig safety. Participants should expect to gain practical experience in aspects of environmental soil, water, and air sampling. There will also be an overview of provincial and federal regulations as they pertain to environmental site assessments; and a discussion on laboratory analysis of parameters commonly considered in Manitoba.
The Potable Water & Groundwater Sampling Course is designed provide students with an understanding of typical groundwater impacts focusing on the differences between light and dense non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL and DNAPL). The course will include the theory behind groundwater well installation, groundwater development, and purging and sampling including groundwater well volume and recharge related calculations. Students will assist with development, purging and sampling of an on-Site groundwater well and will collect potable water samples from on-Site. Supplies: Students require a calculator and must be dressed appropriately for the weather.
Registration per course
MEIA Member $150.00
MEIA Student Chapter Member $80.00
Non-member $250.00
Students $160.00
Soil Sampling Registration – Click here
Water Sampling Registration – Click here
Take both courses for 1.5 credit hours
(ENVR 2010) for University of Manitoba students under the coordination of Mark Hanson, Department of Environment and Geography. Please note that if you are taking this course for credit hours you must also register through the University of Manitoba.
Industry Aboriginal Cultural Awareness & Engagement Workshop
In Collaboration with Okimaw Community & HR Solutions
September 14 & 15
8:30 am – 4:00 pm CST
Online
MEIA Members: $100
Non-Members: $400
Understanding the history and culture of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples’ is critical to moving forward as a business and as a nation. This understanding is especially pertinent in natural resource extraction, mining, and forestry, but Aboriginal relations have far reaching financial and social impacts in any industry. Whether your focus is in recruitment, business development, or training, this workshop will help you and your team build informed, effective, and respectful relationships with Metis, First Nations Peoples and communities.
Click here to register
HAZWOPER/NFPA 472
Monday, Sept 27 – Thursday, Sept 30
8:00am – 4:00pm
1000 Waverly, Training Room 104
$850
In support of industry during a difficult year, MEIA is pleased to be able to offer this course at a reduced rate to help everyone get back into a safe work environment.
The 4-day HAZWOPER/NFPA 472 course offered by HAZ-MATTERS falls within the recently approved Essential Services mandate across Canada and substantially improves employee hazard understanding at the worksite while empowering a technician level of response competency for employees exposed to any form of chemical hazards. Delivered by Bart Taylor, a senior HazMat Specialist, this course unifies internationally used “Best Practice” techniques employed by Industry, Fire Services, First Responders and CBRNe technicians and provides a clear understanding of the entire process.
Requirement: Students must bring a laptop/tablet with them each day of the course to access course materials. Participants will receive a USB Drive that has the student manual and all pertinent supplements included.
*If public health restrictions limit the ability for this class to move forward in-person, it will be moved to online delivery.
Member News and Announcements
ALS 2021 Sustainability Report
The ALS Sustainability Report provides an overview of ALS’s ESG initiatives, activities and achievements over the 2021 financial year ended 31 March 2021.
Highlights from the 2021 report include:
- Continuing to operate as an essential industry with appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures in place to provide safe, reliable services to our clients.
- Meeting our environmental targets – an 8% reduction in our scope 2 energy intensity since 2018 and setting a new target to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 emission intensity by 40% by 2030.
- Supporting our communities – AUD 1.77 Billion economic contribution.
ALS Managing Director and CEO Raj Naran said, “ALS is committed to being open and transparent in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects of our business and provide disclosure on how we operate and manage our material business risks. This is more relevant than ever as the world around us transforms at an unprecedented pace. During the year we worked with and supported our key stakeholders to deliver sustainable outcomes and focus on a brighter future.”
Click here to read the report
Dillon Consulting Announces the Launch of SOAR Professional Services
Dillon Consulting Limited is pleased to announce the launch of SOAR Professional Services – an innovative, employee-owned planning, engineering, environmental science and management consulting firm dedicated to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations across Canada. Led, staffed and owned by Indigenous professionals, SOAR understands the diverse traditions and cultures of Indigenous communities and is committed to capturing community perspective in all the work they do.
In addition to their Indigenous client base, SOAR works with Canadian corporations that share their progressive view on advancing their relationships with Indigenous peoples positively. SOAR’s partnership with Dillon Consulting provides access to significant technical resources and expertise, and will allow expansion of capacity as required to deliver projects that positively impact the lives of Indigenous people, regardless of project location or complexity.
Click here to read the full news release
ECO Canada Wage Funding Applications Now Open
ECO Canada, in partnership with the Government of Canada is offering wage funding for employers looking to onboard young professionals. This program offers eligible employers up to 80% of salary coverage to create meaningful environmental jobs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics within natural resources sectors, including Energy, Forestry, Mining, and Earth Sciences.
Efficiency Manitoba: Energy Efficient Resources for Municipalities
Efficiency Manitoba partnered with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to create helpful energy efficiency resources for municipal buildings. Offerings include:
- Small Business Program Free energy-efficient upgrades as well as a lighting and insulation assessment. Buildings may also qualify for Premium upgrades, which cover 70% of the total cost of your lighting and insulation project, including materials and installation.
- Business Lighting Program When you upgrade to energy-efficient LED lighting and occupancy controls, you can receive incentives covering up to 100% of your lighting material costs
- Building Envelope Program can cover up to 100% of your insulation material costs and help reduce the cost of high-performance windows.
- Upgrading to a ground source heat pump Incentives are available to make projects easier and more affordable.
- Save on electricity and natural gas usage with measures that are designed specifically for your facility.
- New Buildings Program provides you with incentives for energy modelling and construction when you design and build a new energy-efficient building.
- Municipalities selected through an application process are provided with support to hire an energy efficiency advocate to create and implement community energy efficiency plans
- The Energy Manager Initiative provides co-funding for a municipality to hire or appoint an energy manager to develop and implement an energy management program.
Check out the municipal programs guide and recreation facilities guide on their website!
Vaccine 101 for Business Resource Hub
Presented by Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
Given the overwhelming volume of information available on vaccines, this resource hub provides companies of all sizes with a single focal point for the information they need to know as employers and the resources they can use to reassure and encourage their employees to get vaccinated.
Employers will need to navigate a host of issues on the horizon, including questions on vaccination policies, testing requirements, workplace accommodations and more.
Click here to visit the website, or click here to subscribe to the newsletter
Regulatory Updates for Confined Space in Manitoba
Presented by Pinchin
July 21, 2021
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Online
Free
This 1.5 hour complementary webinar will provide a review of the 2019 amendments to Part 15 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health regulation and how they impact your workplace. We will discuss a clear definition of the two types of confined spaces referred to in Part 15 and methods you can use to identify each. During the presentation you will be provided steps on how to conduct a hazard assessment and implementing controls for the hazards that may be present. A brief overview of a typical Confined Space Entry Program will be included.
- What is a Confined Space?
- Confined Space Hazards and Controls
- Regulations you need to know
- Elements of a successful CSE Program
Click here to register
WSP ESG Report: Accelerating Meaningful Action
WSP is pleased to announce the release of its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report: “Accelerating Meaningful Action”.
What you will find in the Report:
- 2020 Global ESG Highlights
- Projects and case studies showcasing how WSP makes a tangible impact in communities
Interviews with WSP’s leaders on:
- WSP’s ESG Strategy
- Shaping Net Zero
- Making Safety Personal
- Evolving Toward an Inclusive Mindset
Click here to read the 2020 ESG Report
Other News and Events
CBSR Launches Canada’s Net-Zero Leaderboard
The Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) has launched the Canada’s Net-zero Leaderboard, which provides information on climate change commitments made by Canadian companies. The leaderboard will be updated regularly so that it is as comprehensive as possible. As scrutiny around what constitutes a robust net-zero target continues to increase, CBSR will also look to expand the scope of information that is being tracked.
Only publicly communicated targets are noted on the leaderboard. Companies that have set emission reduction targets or are committed to setting targets through the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) are also included. Canada’s Net-zero Leaderboard will be publicly accessible and allow people to search across a number of criteria, including:
- Industry
- Targets and timeframes
- Emission scopes included in the target, i.e., Scope 1, 2 and/or 3
- Interim targets
- Whether the goal is aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative
- Whether the company intends to use offsets to meet its target
If you would like to update your information or submit your target for inclusion, please complete this form. Delphi and CBSR experts review and verify all applications.
Best Management Practices for Disposal Bans, Levies and Incentives for End-of-Life Plastics
Presented by Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
The Best Management Practices for Disposal Bans, Levies and Incentives for End-of-Life Plastics document presents a toolbox of options that have been shown to work in some jurisdictions (e.g., a municipality, regional government, province, territory, state or country). The plastics of interest include all plastic products such as durable and semi-durable plastic products, single-use plastics and plastic packaging.
Regulatory, economic and fiscal measures can play an important role in supporting a circular plastics economy and highlight the value of these materials in the economy. This document addresses a priority action committed to in the Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste: Phase 1.
Please click here for details.
To browse other CCME publications in their Resources page, click here
Intake Now Open for Green Initiatives Through $1M Conservation and Climate Fund
The application intake closes on July 22
Manitoba’s Conservation and Climate Fund has been increased from $600,000 to $1 million for local green initiatives that support key priorities of the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan. Last year the fund supported eight Manitoba organizations that addressed sustainable food production, community composting, clean energy, active transportation, climate adaptation of wetlands and nutrient reduction in the Lake Winnipeg basin.
The application criteria are drawn from the pillars and keystones of the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan. Grants will be available for projects that support current priorities and fit in one or more of the categories of climate and green technology, water, and nature and resilient landscapes.
Eligible applicants include incorporated non-profit organizations, academic and educational institutions, municipalities, businesses, and northern and Indigenous communities.
Applications will be assessed and ranked on established criteria and projected outcomes to ensure a strong performance-based approach. The assessment process is led by the Climate and Green Plan Implementation Office, which leans on the advice of partner departments for technical expertise. The application intake is now live and will close on July 22. Only eligible applications received during the declared intake period will be assessed and only one application may be submitted by each applicant during the intake.
Click here to apply.
Provincial Green Transportation Strategy
The Expert Advisory Council (EAC) was directed to provide advice and recommendations for a provincial strategy on greening transportation and infrastructure, recognizing Manitoba’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The EAC report recommends the Green Transportation Strategy be developed before Manitoba’s second Carbon Savings Account takes effect (2023-2027), in order to help the province achieve meaningful emission reductions during present and future Carbon Savings Accounts. It builds on the important investments Manitoba has already made to reduce emissions in transportation, including investments in the province’s Efficient Trucking Program and biofuels mandate.
The Green Transportation Strategy would address timing and direction in areas such as:
• shifting to low-carbon and zero-emission transportation modes, technologies and practices;
• improving and fostering co-ordinated land-use and transportation planning to promote the efficient movement of people, goods and materials;
• enabling technologies and infrastructures that are available to support low-carbon and emission-reducing choices; and
• seeking innovation and economic development opportunities for clean technologies in the transportation sector.
The EAC’s report and recommendations can be found at https://manitoba.ca/eac/.
Click here to view Manitoba’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Goal for 2018 to 2022 (scroll down to mid-page). Click here to view A Carbon Savings Account video. Click here to view the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan.
BAM Leadership Development Program 2021/22 September Intake
Presented by Bioscience Association Manitoba
Sept 1, 2021 to Feb 9, 2022 – two classes a month. Dates emailed once registered.
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
1000 Waverly, Training Room 104
Registration: $3,500
This in-person 72-hour program is accredited by the University of Manitoba toward a certificate in Applied Management.
The Leadership Development Program is designed for individuals who aspire to become effective leaders, to develop new leadership skills, those transitioning to a leadership role or wish to become a leader. The program consists of 17 different topics over ten days to enhance your personal and business life, and now offers one-on-one personal coaching and mentoring.
Learning outcomes include: change management, emotional intelligence awareness, coaching for performance, succession planning, decision making, succession planning, communication skills, leading high-performing and inclusive teams.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This program is designed for individuals who aspire to become effective leaders, develop key
leadership skills and transition into leadership roles. Ideal for new and newly
promoted managers, supervisors, or team leaders.
Click here for more information and to register
Webinars on Supporting Implementation of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
July 26: Genetic diversity The proportion of populations maintained within species, associated indicators
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) in collaboration with the UN Regional Commissions are organizing a series of webinars to increase the understanding of the monitoring framework of the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and to foster collaboration between stakeholders.
Click here for more information and to register
Provincial Water Management Strategy Seeking Feedback
Feedback deadline is August 13, 2021
Click here to provide feedback
The Minister of Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development is leading the development of a Provincial Water Management Strategy for Manitoba. The last comprehensive provincial water strategy was completed in 2003. Much has changed over the last 20 years and a new water strategy will ensure effective and sustainable management of our water resources.
Feedback from all Manitobans is integral to building a strategy that works for all. Please review the strategy framework for further details about the strategy development and water management in Manitoba and to provide input. This framework highlights the vision statement, guiding principles and key focus areas that will be the foundation for the water strategy.
To take part in the engagement, please visit: https://engagemb.ca/water_management_strategy. The deadline for feedback is August 13, 2021.