Changes ahead at Waste Management PAGE 2 www.regionofwaterloo.ca At the Region of Waterloo, we are committed to embracing environmental considerations in all of our decisions. We continue to demonstrate this commitment by making forward-thinking decisions that help protect and conserve our land, water, air and energy resources for current and future generations. In this issue of Region News, you will read about some of the environmental programs and services that are part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. The Region is responsible for supplying clean, safe drinking water to our cities and townships. We keep our water supply clean, conserve our precious water resources and treat wastewater. Inside, you’ll find a pull- out issue of EnviroNews that highlights the benefits of rainwater harvesting, the importance of protecting our sanitary sewers and an opportunity for you to have a say in our water conservation future. The Waste Management Master Plan (WMMP) study is in progress, looking at ways to keep garbage out of our landfill and what to do with leftover garbage when the landfill is full. We’ll be looking for your input in June. You may notice a few waste-related changes that have been initiated as part of the 2013 budget process to find savings in service areas. They include distributing blue boxes only to new homes and residents and having a minimum $2 charge for every load brought to the Region’s waste sites. You can get the details on page 2. On page 3, you’ll read about the Region’s TravelWise program. This unique program encourages commuters to bus, bike, walk or carpool to work. The Region has partnered with many local employers to provide services that encourage employees to use these active forms of transportation. Features of the program include discounted Grand River Transit corporate bus passes, free carpooling software to connect local commuters, an online travel tracking system, and a refundable cab fare service for emergency travel. If you are interested in learning more about the Region’s many environmental programs and initiatives, read through this issue of Region News or visit our website at www.regionofwaterloo.ca and click on About the Environment. You can also join us at EcoFest, fun and interactive event celebrating the environment, on Saturday, June 1, 2013. GRT is getting us there Removing barriers PAGE 4 Comments or questions? Region of Waterloo Customer Service: regionalinquiries @regionofwaterloo.ca Tel: 519-575-4400 TTY: 519-575-4608 PAGE 3 PAGE 2 Waterloo Air Show PAGE 3 Ontario Renovates Program PAGE 4 INSIDE Published by the Region of Waterloo Spring 2013 Protecting our environment for a better community Grand River Transit (GRT) is expanding service this fall to improve the public transit experience for its customers. In 2012, GRT saw an eight per cent increase in ridership with a total of 48,421 hours of service added. This increase reflects the growing area GRT services and shows the importance of an efficient and effective public transit service in Waterloo Region. In order to meet the needs of our growing community and prepare for the introduction of rapid transit, GRT’s network continues to be redesigned to provide seamless connections between bus and future rail service and improve overall travel options. GRT will be adding 48,200 hours of new transit service in September 2013, a 7.8 per cent increase in service. These additional hours add up to a $2.8 million investment in transit service and will include the purchase of 15 new expansion buses. GRT will also introduce a third iXpress route which will travel in Waterloo along University Avenue, from Ira Needles Boulevard to Northfield Drive. The iXpress Routes transport passengers through the region in less time and along more direct routes with limited stops along the way. GRT will also be adding and modifying bus routes and extending the existing 201 iXpress to reach shoppers at Conestoga Mall and employees at the University Avenue and Northfield Drive business area. These additions to transit service reflect GRT’s dedication to connecting its customers to the community and helping to make Waterloo Region a desirable place in which to live, work and play. Visit www.grt.ca for more details.
Transcript
Changes ahead at WasteManagement PAGE 2
www.regionofwaterloo.ca
At the Region of Waterloo, we arecommitted to embracingenvironmental considerations in all ofour decisions. We continue todemonstrate this commitment bymaking forward-thinking decisionsthat help protect and conserve ourland, water, air and energy resourcesfor current and future generations. Inthis issue of Region News, you willread about some of theenvironmental programs and servicesthat are part of our commitment toreducing our environmental footprint.The Region is responsible forsupplying clean, safe drinking waterto our cities and townships. We keepour water supply clean, conserve ourprecious water resources and treatwastewater. Inside, you’ll find a pull-out issue of EnviroNews thathighlights the benefits of rainwaterharvesting, the importance of
protecting our sanitary sewers andan opportunity for you to have a sayin our water conservation future.
The Waste Management Master Plan(WMMP) study is in progress, lookingat ways to keep garbage out of ourlandfill and what to do with leftovergarbage when the landfill is full. We’llbe looking for your input in June. Youmay notice a few waste-relatedchanges that have been initiated aspart of the 2013 budget process tofind savings in service areas. Theyinclude distributing blue boxes only tonew homes and residents and havinga minimum $2 charge for every loadbrought to the Region’s waste sites.You can get the details on page 2.
On page 3, you’ll read about theRegion’s TravelWise program. Thisunique program encouragescommuters to bus, bike, walk or
carpool to work. The Region haspartnered with many local employersto provide services that encourageemployees to use these active formsof transportation. Features of theprogram include discounted GrandRiver Transit corporate bus passes,free carpooling software to connectlocal commuters, an online traveltracking system, and a refundablecab fare service for emergencytravel.If you are interested in learningmore about the Region’s manyenvironmental programs andinitiatives, read through this issue ofRegion News or visit our website atwww.regionofwaterloo.ca and clickon About the Environment. You canalso join us at EcoFest, fun andinteractive event celebrating theenvironment, on Saturday, June 1,2013.
GRT is getting us there
Removing barriers PAGE 4
Comments or questions?Region of WaterlooCustomer Service: regionalinquiries
Grand River Transit (GRT) isexpanding service this fall to improvethe public transit experience for itscustomers.
In 2012, GRT saw an eight per centincrease in ridership with a total of48,421 hours of service added. Thisincrease reflects the growing areaGRT services and shows theimportance of an efficient andeffective public transit service inWaterloo Region.
In order to meet the needs of ourgrowing community and prepare forthe introduction of rapid transit, GRT’s
network continues to be redesignedto provide seamless connectionsbetween bus and future rail serviceand improve overall travel options.GRT will be adding 48,200 hours ofnew transit service in September2013, a 7.8 per cent increase inservice. These additional hours addup to a $2.8 million investment intransit service and will include thepurchase of 15 new expansion buses.
GRT will also introduce a third iXpressroute which will travel in Waterlooalong University Avenue, from IraNeedles Boulevard to NorthfieldDrive. The iXpress Routes transport
passengers through the region in lesstime and along more direct routeswith limited stops along the way. GRTwill also be adding and modifying busroutes and extending the existing 201iXpress to reach shoppers atConestoga Mall and employees at theUniversity Avenue and NorthfieldDrive business area.
These additions to transit servicereflect GRT’s dedication toconnecting its customers to thecommunity and helping to makeWaterloo Region a desirable place inwhich to live, work and play. Visitwww.grt.ca for more details.
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Changes ahead at Waste Management
Region of Waterloo Public Health is encouragingresidents to take preventative measures and testtheir homes for radon gas.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas.When radon is released from the ground into theoutdoor air, it becomes diluted and is not a concern.However, in enclosed spaces (such as a home),radon can sometimes accumulate to elevatedlevels by entering through cracks in the foundationand other places where a house is open to theground.
Long-term exposure to high radon levels canincrease the risk of lung cancer. This risk is furtherincreased among smokers and those exposed tosecond-hand smoke. Indoor exposure to radon isestimated to cause approximately 16 per cent oflung cancers in Canada.
The geographical location and the age of a homecannot be used to reliably predict radon levels.
Testing is therefore encouraged in all homes. Thehigher up residents are in a building, the lessexposure to radon they are expected to have. Aradon test should be performed in the lowest lived-in level of a home where residents spend more thanfour hours per day.
Health Canada recently completed a cross-countryresidential radon survey of 14,000 homes and foundthat 6.9 per cent of homes tested had radonconcentrations above the current Canadianguidelines. In Waterloo Region, 101 homes weresurveyed and four per cent experienced elevatedradon levels.
If your home tests above Health Canada’s guidelineof 200 Bq/m3, Public Health recommends that youtake measures to lower the amount of radonentering your home. For advice on homeremediation options, consult a certified radonmitigation expert. Region of Waterloo Public Healthprovides guidance on how to test your home forradon and can direct you to resources that will helpyou find a certified radon mitigation professional ifneeded. Visit us at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/radonto find out more.
The Waste Management Master Plan (WMMP)study is in progress, looking at ways to keepgarbage out of our landfill and what to do withleftover garbage when the landfill is full. We’ll belooking for more public feedback on some possiblerecommendations in June. For more informationabout the WMMP, the feedback sessions,or any of our programs, please visitwww.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste,or call 519-883-5100.
As part of the Region’s 2013 budget process to findsavings in service areas, Waste Management hasmade the following changes for 2013:
Blue boxes: In the last few years, approximately1,000 blue boxes have been given out each week.After careful consideration, a budget decisionwas made to provide blue boxes only to newhomes or new residents to Waterloo Region.Please continue to use the Region-providedboxes which should last for years. You may alsouse other approved-size plastic recycling bins, aslong as they are no taller than 40 cm (16”), have arim around the edge, and weigh less than 23 kg(50 lbs.) when full. No laundry hampers or storagetotes, please.
Holiday closure of transfer stations: TheCambridge (201 Savage Dr.) and Waterloo (925Erb St. W., Gate 2) sites as well as all rual siteswill no longer be open for residential drop off onstatutory and designated holidays.
Household hazardous waste (HHW) event days:The HHW event days will no longer be held.Residents are encouraged to use thefree Orange Drop program(www.makethedrop.ca) or
bring their HHW to one of the Region’s permanentdrop-off sites. All HHW is accepted at theWaterloo (Gate 2) site; the Cambridge siteaccepts paint and motor oil, and the rural transferstations accept only motor oil.
Minimum $2 charge: A minimum $2 charge forevery load brought to the Region of Waterloowaste sites for disposal came into effect onApril 2, 2013. (Does not apply to loads of just HHWbrought for proper disposal.)
Travelwise program takes commutershalfway to the moon!
Looking for a great outdoor event to kick-start yoursummer? Come to the Waterloo Air Show, June 1and 2 at the Region of Waterloo InternationalAirport!
Be dazzled by amazing aerial displays, highlightedby the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. This year, theshow will offer two new acts: a wing walker and ajet car. Go back to the glory days of barnstormingwith Jane Wicker as she moves around herairplane’s wings while in flight; and get ready torumble as a speeding car soars down the runway at640 km/hr billowing 20-foot flames out the back.
The flying aircraft will be joined by additionaldisplay aircraft on the ground. Get up close, takephotos and speak to the pilots. This year’s grounddisplay will include WWII bombers, plus Vietnam-era military transports.
Gates are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so bring yourblankets, chairs and cameras out to the Region ofWaterloo International Airport and pick your spoton the airport’s huge grass field. There’s not a badseat in the house when you’re looking skywards!
Commuters throughout Waterloo Region arerealizing the benefits of travelling sustainably bytaking advantage of the Region’s TransportationManagement Association, TravelWise Commute.
TravelWise works with local employers to provideinnovative services that encourage employees touse active and sustainable transportation. Featuresof the program include discounted Grand RiverTransit (GRT) corporate bus passes, free carpoolingsoftware to connect local commuters, an onlinetravel tracking system, and a refundable cab fareservice for emergency travel.
Walking, cycling, taking transit or carpooling towork helps to ease parking concerns, relieve trafficcongestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions,promote healthy lifestyles and improve qualityof life.
Organizations from across Waterloo Region havejoined Travelwise, including the Cities ofCambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, Open Text,BlackBerry (formerly Research In Motion), theUniversity of Waterloo and Wilfrid LaurierUniversity.
Not only does Travelwise offer services to simplifythe daily commute, it’s also making a significantimpact on the number of cars on the road. Theassociation has helped eliminate 220,000 kilometresof driving, the equivalent of travelling halfway to themoon! This has reduced fuel consumption by 7,400litres and saved 16,500 kilograms of carbonemissions.
Recent highlights include:
• Local employees using TravelWise Commuteservices have grown from 18,000 to 22,000, a 22per cent increase in just one year.
• The sale of GRT Corporate Bus Passes increasedby 38 per cent in 2012 compared to 2011.
• The number of registered TravelWise Commuteusers carpooling to destinations in the region hasincreased by 44 per cent since its Jan. 2012launch.
For more information, visitwww.travelwisecommute.ca.
A major milestone for theRegion of Waterloo’s
Rapid Transit servicewas reached inMarch whenRegional Council
short-listed threeteams to submit
proposals to design,build, finance, operate, and
maintain (DBFOM) the 19 kilometre Light Rail Transit(LRT) portion of the service between Kitchener andWaterloo.The three teams – GrandLinq, Kitchener WaterlooCambridge Transit Partners and Tricity TransitSystem – are comprised of world-class firms withmajor transit-building experience. They were short-listed from a group of seven teams that were part ofthe Request for Qualifications process, afterdemonstrating they had the required design,construction, operations and maintenancecapabilities and experience as well as thepersonnel and financial strength to deliver a projectof this size and scope.The three short-listed teams will now move on tothe Request for Proposal (RFP) stage of theprocurement process. The Region’s RFP isexpected to be released in April 2013. In early 2014,one of these teams will be selected to implementLRT in Waterloo Region.For more information, visitwww.regionofwaterloo.ca/rapidtransit.
= $42/WEEK
ONE-STOP250250
CHICAGO • CALGARY • OTTAWA
Destinationsvia
HST INCLUDED
687,2922004
2007
2012
TOTAL NUMBER OFPASSENGERS SINCE 2003
90 k
120 k
20 k
k=Thousands
AIRPORT CODE
INCLUDING:
VancouverLas VegasMontreal
123
New YorkHalifaxOrlando
456
EdmontonLondon, U.K.WinnipegSan Francisco
78910
*Commute time calculated from Kitchener City Centre Source Mapquest
Airport Commute Time
SAVE TIME& MONEY!
139 min.
61 min.
73 min.
62 min.
$6
$14
$12
$28
$13
YKF (Waterloo)
YHM (Hamilton)
YXU (London)
YYZ (Toronto)
BUF (Buffalo)
Daily Parking Rate
14 min.
YKFRegion of WaterlooInternational Airport
CALGARY
CHICAGO
OTTAWA
RepublicDominican
PUNTA CANA
NON-STOP FLIGHT DESTINATIONS
Teams shortlistedfor region’s rapidtransit service
At the Region of Waterloo, we strive to understand and meet the needs of allthose we serve. That’s why we’re excited to announce Regional Councilapproval of our first Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.
This plan will help us ensure our policies and programs are respecting thedignity and independence of all members of our community and providing themwith equal opportunities.
We encourage you to review the Accessibility Plan to learn more about theRegion’s approach to identifying, preventing and removing barriers for peoplewith disabilities.
In 2013, we’ll continue to consult with our Grand River Accessibility AdvisoryCommittee to meet our priorities related to accessibility. We will providesupport and training for all staff on the Integrated Accessibility StandardRegulation. We are also working on resources for staff to support inclusivecommunity participation.
For more information about the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan or accessibilityplanning at the Region, please visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/accessibility.
Region striving to remove barriers
Students are an important part of the workforce at the Region of Waterloo. EachMay, the Region hires more than 100 summer students in a variety of positionsacross all departments.
Some student positions include receptionists, planners, groundskeepers, residentcare providers at Sunnyside Home and Public Health analysts. You may also seestudents on our roads, in our Regional lab, at waste management facilities, GrandRiver Transit, and all around our Regional buildings.
The Region also has students on placement throughout the year for co-op terms or internships, and these opportunitiesare organized directly through the schools.
Check out job opportunities online by going to www.regionofwaterloo.ca and clicking on “Careers”. The Region of Waterloolooks forward to welcoming our summer students of 2013!
Region recognizes importance of student hires
Homeowners in WaterlooRegion know how quicklyrepair costs can add up.The good news is there’snow a program availableto help cover theseexpenses for low-to-moderate incomehouseholds living in
modest homes. These may include condominiums,townhouses or free-standing homes, as long as they areowned by the occupant.
The Ontario Renovates Program provides qualifyingapplicants forgivable loans to a maximum of $25,000. Thesefunds can be put towards housing repairs, energy-efficiencyupgrades, or accessibility modifications that allowhomeowners with disabilities to remain in their homes.
The program has been made possible through theInvestment in Affordable Housing for Ontario Program,which is funded by the federal and provincialgovernments. Limited funds are available.
Eligible Ontario Renovates projects may include majorrepairs to make a home safe, while improving energyefficiency. Examples include:
• Heating systems• Doors and windows• Structural repairs to foundations, walls, roofs and floors• Electrical systems• Plumbing• Roof replacement
Changes to improve housing accessibility may include:• Ramps• Handrails• Chair and bath lifts• Height adjustments to countertops• Bathroom modifications
For more information, please visit:www.regionofwaterloo.ca/housing.
Ontario Renovates giveshomeowners a helping hand
Using our online application, you can now apply for child care financialassistance any time of the day or night. To access the easy, step-by-stepapplication, type in this URL or follow the steps below: http://bit.ly/WVerCg.
• Go to www.regionofwaterloo.ca/socialservices
• Click on “Financial Help with Child Care Costs” under the Children’sServices menu
• Complete the Child Care Subsidy Calculator and you will be directedto the Child Care Subsidy Online Application.
For more information on child care subsidy, visitwww.regionofwaterloo.ca/socialservices or call 519-883-2200.
