News Release

Halifax Places Second in National Sustainable Cities Ranking

(Wednesday, February 3, 2010) - Corporate Knights Magazine has unveiled their fourth-annual Corporate Knights Most Sustainable Cities in Canada list and Halifax has ranked second. “We are pleased to continue to rank in the top tier of medium-sized cities with Corporate Knights. Our Municipality is committed to being a healthy, sustainable, vibrant community. Over the last few years we have invested more than $7 million in energy efficiency projects. We continue to work towards a sustainable future for all citizens”, said Mayor Peter Kelly.

At over 5600 square kilometres HRM is geographically one of the largest Municipalities in Canada. Halifax was noted as having the best waste diversion levels, but this success was tempered by having the most sprawl, the lowest population density and the least green space of the considered set. HRMbyDesign is a priority initiative that takes direct aim at these issues. "HRMbyDesign's densification strategy and Neighbourhood Greenprint will ensure that many more people will be living and working sustainably in our urbanized core," said Andy Fillmore, HRM's Urban Design Project Manager. "The recently adopted Downtown Plan will mean that a walkable, beautiful, mixed-use downtown in conjunction with a streamlined new development approval process will draw future growth downtown rather than to suburban and rural areas."

Founded in 2002, Corporate Knights Inc. is an independent Canadian media company focussed on promoting and reinforcing sustainable development in Canada. Their comprehensive ranking identifies Canadian cities whose practices leave the smallest environmental footprint possible and create a healthy, thriving population. Cities are assessed based on five categories: Ecological Integrity; Economic Security; Governance and Empowerment; Infrastructure and Built Environment and Social Well-Being.

For more information on HRM’s Sustainable Environment Management Office and energy efficiency projects visit: www.halifax.ca/environment/semo

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Contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly, Halifax Regional Municipality, 902-490-4010

Richard MacLellan, Acting SEMO (Sustainable Environment Management Office) Manager, 902-490-6056, maclelri@halifax.ca

Andy Fillmore, Project Manager, Urban Design, 902-490-6495, fillmoa@halifax.ca