Minister's Speech

Remarks prepared for:

The Honourable John Gerretsen
Minister of the Environment

Opening of New City Hall - Cambridge
Thursday, June 5, 2008

(Check against delivery)

Good evening everyone.

I’m very glad to be here this evening along with my cabinet colleague, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy along with His Honour Mayor Doug Craig.

I bring greetings on behalf of our premier, Dalton McGuinty.  He sends his congratulations.

This is an especially important and satisfying event to take part in.

Tonight we are recognizing a new landmark in our province — and even more than that, we are recognizing a huge step forward for Cambridge and for all of Ontario.

Building green and sustainable buildings for our public infrastructure is going to be fundamental to our ability to address the challenges of climate change and in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. 

It is a priority that will continue to define our province well into the future.

I’m proud to say that our government is the first in Ontario's history to commit to providing leadership on environmental issues.  We take our role and responsibility seriously.

But the fact is — this is a responsibility we all share.  We all need to be part of a movement to build a better world for our children and the generations of the future.   

So, it's extremely encouraging to see people leading the way in their own communities.

We look to others for leadership and good examples.

So, when I look around at the people here tonight and the evidence of their dedication to Ontario's future, I think the province is in capable hands.

Here in Cambridge, you have one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario. 
You're very well situated in what is called the Golden Technology Triangle to provide an environment that attracts people who want to work and live in a peaceful, clean community.  

The fact that you've taken the steps necessary to create what will potentially become the first Gold LEED certified City Hall in Canada sends a clear message — Cambridge cares deeply about its environmental responsibilities.

As Ontario's environment industry grows, cities like Cambridge will be providing the infrastructure for new green businesses and environmental industries to take root.

I know many of you are aware of the requirements a building must have before it receives Gold LEED certification. 

LEED is a building standard that challenges today's architects, designers and engineers to find new methods of building and new solutions … but it is a standard that is completely do-able and provides so many benefits on every level.

The best thing about constructing an eco-friendly building is that not only are you lessening the impact on the environment but you're also showing others how it can provide generous savings on all fronts – savings for the environment and savings of that other green variety.

Your beautiful new City Hall has so many great features.  The “living wall” provides natural beauty, cleaner air and water and humidity during the dry winter months.   And you don't even have to plug it in – now that's the kind of technology we all like.

There are also a lot of built in advantages that the average person can't see — such as workstations that do not include materials containing volatile organic compounds or VOCs.

Another fact that we can all admire is that during construction, a unique waste management program ensured that 82 per cent of construction waste was diverted from landfills.

That's an enormous benefit to your community that could be extended to include future development – something you can expect over the coming years.

The energy savings alone in the new city hall will amount to almost 40 per cent that’s a clear economic benefit to this community, freeing up resources for other important public works.

There’s no underestimating the importance of this facility to your community; to your families, businesses and neighbourhoods.

You have recognized the vital connection between a clean, green environment and people’s health and wellbeing.

The leadership you've shown in making this dream a reality is truly impressive and will create a ripple effect that will certainly inspire others to do the same.

It is part of our government’s commitment to make Ontario an example to Canada and the world as a place where good business practices and environmental responsibility go hand-in-hand.

People want to live and work in a safe, clean environment.  Building a sustainable environment helps us attract jobs and investment to our province.

With the opening of your new City Hall, you're encouraging public institutions and businesses across the province to also go above and beyond … and raise environmental protection to new heights.

Congratulations again on your achievement.  The province thanks you and the people of Cambridge are surely proud and grateful for this, your new City Hall.

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