This announcement was created by the National Zero Waste Council, a partner of the Circular Cities & Regions Initiative.
Fifteen local governments have been selected to participate in the Canadian Circular Cities & Regions Initiative’s (CCRI) Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network, designed to promote job creation and sustainable practices in the post-pandemic economy.
The CCRI is a one-year national pilot developed by the National Zero Waste Council, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, the Recycling Council of Alberta and RECYC-QUÉBEC, to provide local governments in Canada with the knowledge and tools needed to accelerate circular economy solutions.
The CCRI will be a venue for community members to learn and share best practices for implementing circular economy strategies and policies. They will have access to one-on-one mentoring and support from advisors representing leading Canadian and international leaders and practitioners. Through peer-to-peer exchange and direct interaction with subject matter experts, local governments will be able to develop their own unique circular economy roadmaps for their communities.
The CCRI and its project partners are pleased to welcome the following local governments to the P2P Network:
- Calgary (AB)
- Canmore (AB)
- Chapais (QC)
- Gatineau (QC)
- Mississauga (ON)
- Montréal (QC)
- Nanaimo (BC)
- New Glasgow (NS)
- Region of York (ON)
- Richmond (BC)
- Saskatoon (SK)
- Sherbrooke (QC)
- St. John’s (NL)
- Vancouver (BC)
- Whitehorse (YK)
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the effects of our current ‘take-make-waste' economy are being felt in our cities and regions. Currently, cities consume 75% of natural resources, produce over 50% of global waste, and emit between 60-80% of greenhouse gases. This provides a tremendous opportunity for local governments to lead the way in the transition to a circular economy, where waste is designed out, natural systems are regenerated and products and materials are kept at their highest utility and value.
Accelerating the transition to a circular economy is recognized as an opportunity for new jobs and environmental sustainability — at a time when governments and communities are in critical need of both. As the Canadian economy rebounds from the COVID-19 downturn, the circular economy provides a framework for achieving climate action commitments and nurturing a prosperous and equitable future for residents and businesses.
A series of national webinars is being hosted throughout the year to profile leading examples from within Canada and abroad. Webinars are open to the public and delivered in English with French simultaneous interpretation. Registration is available online.
To find out more information, please visit canadiancircularcities.ca.
Quotes
“Local governments are planning their post-pandemic economic recovery, making now the perfect time to adopt innovative solutions that create jobs and benefit the environment. With focused goals of developing resilient and liveable communities, these local governments are perfectly situated to be key enablers of the circular economy transition. With the right tools, knowledge, peer-to-peer support and expert guidance, we can create the foundation for future circular economies across Canada.”
– Jack Froese, Chair of the National Zero Waste Council
“Cities are in a unique position to advance the Circular Economy. They represent the majority of the population, being hubs of economic activity and primary sources of environmental impacts. At the same time, cities are much more nimble than higher level governments, allowing them to be proactive and bring a high level of innovation to the challenge of evolving our economy to be more circular.”
– Christina Seidel, Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta
“RECYC-QUÉBEC is proud to be associated with the Circular Cities and Regions project and congratulates the fifteen selected organizations. The circular economy is an asset for municipalities. It allows them to create short loops of resource use using various strategies and especially in a way that is adapted to local realities. This transition requires committed municipalities, exchange with peers, and communication of experiences and results. All elements that our partnership with the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative allows us to activate.”
– Sonia Gagné, CEO, RECYC-QUÉBEC
“While Canadian cities continue to work on the daily challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are ready to play a crucial role in our next collective challenge: getting our country’s economy back on track. Municipalities want new models of economic practices that are efficient, better balanced, sustainable, and local. The circular economy is a key part of the solution. Through GMF’s Canadian Circular Cities & Regions Initiative, FCM will continue to help communities across the country to develop a circular economy strategy, create vital opportunities for economic growth, restore the environment and improve the lifestyle of Canadians.”
– Joanne Vanderheyden, President, FCM
Media
FCM: Katherine Ellis, media@fcm.ca
RCA: Tessa Hill, tessa@recycle.ab.ca
NZWC: Niki Reitmayer, niki.reitmayer@metrovancouver.org
RECYC-QUÉBEC: Brigitte Geoffroy, medias@recyc-quebec.gouv.qc.ca