Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards Ceremony

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment and Labour, along with Deris Hollett, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Women's Institutes, announced the winners of the 8th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards Program at a ceremony held last evening at the Freshwater Resource Centre.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards Program recognizes Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have contributed in a meaningful way to the preservation, protection and restoration of our environment. The aim is to educate, inform and encourage all citizens to play an active part in the environmental health of our province. The program is sponsored by the Department of Environment and Labour and the Newfoundland and Labrador Women's Institutes.

Nominations were accepted in six categories: Individual, Citizen's Group, Education, Youth, Business and Municipal. The winners this year were as follows:

• Individual: Dr. John Gibson and Mr. Gordon Cooper of the St. John's/Mount Pearl area

  Citizen's Group: The Victoria Community Economic Development Corporation

  Education: Ms. Yvonne Pevie of Rigolet, Labrador

  Youth: Patrick Fleming and Jason Lambe of the Marystown/Burin Peninsula area

  Business: The Indian Head Co-op in Stephenville

  Municipality: Town of Brigus

In addition to the Environmental Awards, Mr. Aylward announced a new national award program on behalf of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). With the CCME Pollution Prevention Awards, Canadian governments are joining together to give national recognition to companies and organizations whose cutting-edge accomplishments in preventing pollution at the source are benefiting the environment and the economy across the country.

CCME will present up to six certificates of recognition each year to organizations showing leadership in pollution prevention. Prospective winners can apply themselves or be nominated, and the deadline for applications for this year's awards is August 8, 1997.

Awards will be offered in four categories: small business (less than 20 employees), medium business (21 to 50 employees), large business (more than 50 employees) and institution, organization or group.

Mr. Aylward said: "Canadian businesses of all sizes are discovering that it is more effective to avoid creating pollutants and waste at the source than to clean them up or treat them after they've been produced. My colleagues and I support this growing emphasis on pollution prevention, and want to be sure that the very best initiatives are given the profile they deserve."

Winners will be selected by a panel of representatives from government, industry and environmental non-government organizations. The Council of Ministers will present the certificates at its annual meeting that is scheduled to be held in early fall in Newfoundland.

To close out the evening, the minister presented a grant of $5,000 to the Newfoundland Environmental Industry Association in support of the Canadian Waste Management Conference to be held here in St. John's in September of this year. Padraic O'Flaherty, President of NEIA accepted the cheque, and in doing so stated: "We appreciate this contribution to the conference. The money will be used to help showcase Newfoundland environmental businesses."

Contact: Sean Kelly, Director of Communications, (709) 729-2575.