News
Top Strategies to Encourage Parents to let their kids Walk and Wheel to School
The Ontario Active School Travel Council’s Parent Engagement Working Group has gathered information on engaging parents in active school travel. The key findings of this work have been summarized into a report available for download.
Women leading on climate
GCC Executive Director Brianna Salmon and Water Programs Lead Emily Amon posted videos in response to former Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna’s Women Leading On Climate campaign. The campaign called on women and girls to share stories about...
Creating car-free ‘School Streets’ around Ontario schools
Green Communities Canada (GCC) is proud to introduce the Ontario School Streets Pilot project, which is testing the creation of car-free zones in streets adjacent to schools in three Canadian cities: Hamilton, Markham, and Mississauga. Each local pilot is being led on the ground by the local municipality and will develop recommendations for the planning, permitting, and implementation of School Streets programs in municipal settings.
Identifying best practices in walking and wheeling skills training programs
Green Communities Canada and Stuckless Consulting Inc. have partnered on a new project focused on walking & wheeling skills training in schools. Funded through Ontario Active School Travel, the core objective of the project is to enable efficient collaboration across communities on the delivery of in-school training by providing expert guidance, as well as access to vetted processes and tools.
Brianna Salmon talks about her new role and plans as the Executive Director of Green Communities Canada
Green Communities Canada’s (GCC) new Executive Director Brianna Salmon came on board in July 2021. After completing a quarter in their new role, Brianna shares thoughts on what working for GCC is like and what lies ahead for the organization.
GCC has a new member!
Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) is Green Communities Canada’s newest member organization. SES has been working on environmental issues in Saskatchewan for the past 50 years. Formed as a local Saskatoon, volunteer-run organization, SES has grown into a...
Request for Proposal: Active School Travel Parent Engagement Tools
Green Communities Canada (GCC) is seeking a marketing and communications consultant to undertake a project to develop, test, and evaluate new social marketing messages, tools, and tactics targeting parents who drive their children to school. The goal will be to...
Depave Paradise is Expanding Across Canada!
Green Communities Canada (GCC) is excited to announce the start of 15 green infrastructure projects through Depave Paradise with partners all across Canada.
Active Transportation Infrastructure: A school travel planner’s thoughts from Veloroute des Bleuets, Quebec
Veloroute des Bleuets is a popular cycling destination located approximately 240 kms north of Quebec City. GCC school travel planner Sanjana Sharma, who facilitates active commutes to school in Ajax, ON, shares her observations on youth cycling and walking infrastructure in some of the communities on the loop.
Meet our newest staff members
GCC welcomes two new staff members to the team. Christine Mettler (pictured left) joins the Water Department as Project Manager for the Living Cities Canada: Green For All project. Christine has more than a decade of experience in the environmental sector, with a...
Canada’s Active Transportation Strategy and Fund: What it Means for Communities
Canada’s first ever federal strategy for active transportation, which includes a $400 million dedicated fund, prioritizes investments in infrastructure, such as bike lanes, pathways, and trails to be used for walking, cycling, and wheeling in communities across...
Step Back into In-Class Learning with these Back-to-School Tips
The return to in-class learning this fall is a great time to form healthy new habits. With months of e-learning and the summer break, school routines have been disrupted, making back-to-school the perfect time to form new ones – like active school travel! Why Active...
GCC welcomes new Board members
Kevin Dunbar, Ami Gagné, Tom Du, Michael Jacobs, and Melanie Reixach-Wong were appointed to GCC’s Board of Directors at the 2021 Annual General meeting. Appointed for three year terms, they bring an impressive array of experience and talent to the 12 member Board....
And the winners are…
London Environmental Network (LEN) is the 2021 Green Community Member of the Year. LEN took home the honours at GCC’s Annual General Meeting, held 28 June. LEN joined GCC in 2020 and has been an active member, generously sharing its knowledge and expertise with GCC...
Brianna Salmon is GCC’s new ED
Green Communities Canada (GCC) is excited to announce Brianna Salmon has been hired as Executive Director, effective July 2021. “We are thrilled Brianna is taking the helm during this critical period,” says GCC Board Chair Shannon Costigan. “Canada has ambitious...
Coping during COVID
Getting outside, decorating donuts, and gardening are some of the ways GCC staff are coping as we move into the second year (and hopefully last months!) of the pandemic. According to experts, it’s normal to feel increased levels of stress and anxiety, but there...
GCC welcomes two new members
Green Communities Canada is delighted to welcome two new members into the GCC fold. EnviroCentre, based in Ottawa, ON, provides practical solutions to help people and organizations lighten their environmental impact. Programming focuses on homes, transportation,...
GCC is hiring an Executive Director
Green Communities Canada is looking for a change maker committed to bringing communities together for a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable future. This is a dynamic position for a collaborative, team-oriented leader to elevate the collective impact of our...
Six Recommendations for the National Active Transportation Strategy
Canada has its first ever National Active Transportation Strategy! After championing active transportation for more than two decades, Green Communities Canada is thrilled about the federal announcement which includes $400 million in funding over five years. Green...
Celebrating women
80% of the non-profit workforce in Canada is made up of women. Their work is vital to caring for their families and their communities, especially during the pandemic. In recognition of International Women’s Day earlier this week we salute Canadian women and the women...
GCC has a new home
With a majority of our staff working remotely from locations across Canada, GCC has relocated to a smaller, resource efficient space. Still headquartered in Peterborough, ON, we are now located at The Mount Community Centre. The Mount is a 10-acre parcel of land in...
Happy New Year – a video message
"It's going to take all of us doing our part and working together to tackle the complex problems we face in 2021," says GCC Executive Director Carol Steuri. Carol shares her thoughts on the year ahead in a video message - click on image to watch. Click here to read...
Make your holiday zero waste
This holiday season, with a little help from our member organizations, you can spread cheer without creating tonnes of waste. Giftwrap and shopping bags alone generate 545,000 tonnes of waste in Canada. Stay off the giftwrapping naughty list and still wrap up your...
Ontario Active School Travel Fund open for new applications
Green Communities Canada (GCC) is pleased to announce that Round 3 of the Ontario Active School Travel Fund is now open for applications from communities across the province. The objective of the Fund is to increase active school travel (AST) opportunities for...
Bring green infrastructure to your community – free depave training
Green Communities Canada is offering free Depave Paradise Coordinator training in an effort to expand the reach this exciting program. Depave Paradise removes unwanted pavement, replacing it with green spaces that absorb and filter rain before it enters...
Ontario supports active school travel
Green Communities Canada is delighted to announce the Government of Ontario has confirmed new financial support for the Ontario Active School Travel program. GCC will receive $1.5 million from the Ministry of Education’s Priorities & Partnerships Fund to continue...
Updated active transportation resources for students
Just in time for back to school - our Ontario Active School Travel website features updated pedestrian and cycling safety resources. Check them out on the Steps to Success page under the Education section. Click here to read the full GCNews August edition.
And the winners are….
Green Venture, Hamilton, ON, took home Green Community Member of the Year honours at the 2020 GC Awards presentation. Celebrating it’s 25th anniversary, Green Venture was recognized for the countless programs it has...
Environmental work and social justice go hand in hand
The past few weeks have been both heartbreaking and inspiring. We have seen Black and Indigenous people reach a collective breaking point and come together to demand justice and change. In our hearts and minds, we have heard these demands and know that we must do our...
Announcing our new Executive Director
GCC’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce Carol Steuri is our new Executive Director. Carol joins GCC with over 15 years’ experience in marketing, communications and strategy across a variety of sectors and industries in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Her...
GCC lobbies for sector support
Green Communities Canada Board Chair Chris Birchall is advocating for federal aid to help non-profits and charities weather the COVID-19 storm. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Birchall notes that while GCC appreciates the many efforts taken by the federal...
GCC hits the quarter century mark
This month marks the 25th anniversary of Green Communities Canada (GCC). GCC was founded in April 1995 at a gathering in Cornwall, ON, as a province-wide network of community organizations committed to the delivery of positive,...
We’re hiring a new Executive Director!
Green Communities Canada is looking for a dynamic Executive Director to lead our organization to new successes. As Executive Director, you will work with innovators from across the country to support collective action for climate change. Along with our team of...
We’re recruiting Board members
Green Communities Canada is looking for two volunteers who share our passion for the environment to join our national Board of Directors. As a Director you will participate in deliberations and decisions regarding strategic direction, programming, fundraising,...
GCC seeks consultants
Green Communities Canada has issued Requests for Proposals for: an Online Learning Consultant to support and guide the design and delivery of on-line courses offered by its Water Department. Applications due 24 January 2020, 5 pm ET; and a Program Evaluation...
Support a greener future this holiday season
Help create a green and healthy future for all by making a donation to the Green Communities Foundation. The Green Communities Foundation is the charitable affiliate of Green Communities Canada (GCC). The Foundation engages GCC in delivering projects that improve the...
Welcome Oakvillegreen
Welcome Oakvillegreen Green Communities Canada welcomes our newest member organization: Oakvillegreen Conservation Association. Oakville’s largest residents association works to protect the environment and promote sustainable planning and urban forest stewardship....
Water program intern hiring
Green Communities Canada seeks a passionate, self-directed young professional for the position of Water Programs Coordinator. Working with senior staff, the Coordinator will help develop and implement programs, and contribute ideas to address environmental...
An invitation to make history – Global Climate Strike
Green Communities Canada is endorsing and participating in the upcoming Global Climate Strike, 20-27 September. To date, the climate strike has been led by young people around the world. Now we are all being asked to join in and demand action on the climate...
Depave is ripping up Ontario
Supported by a three-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Depave Paradise has transformed grey school yards, campuses, churches, downtown properties, and city parks into beautiful green spaces. In the last 18 months,15 depaves have been completed and more...
RAIN gardens and Depave awards
RAIN Garden Master Class: new session: Green Communities Canada is once again offering the online RAIN Garden Master Class, starting 13 May; Hoping for investments: GCC Water Programs Manager Clara Blakelock was asked about her hopes for the next four years at the...
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