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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

May 29, 2012


MANITOBANS URGED TO TAKE PART IN COMMUTER CHALLENGE 2012

Province Continues Commitment to Cleaner Air, Active Transportation: Ministers
All Manitobans are urged to recommit themselves to a healthier environment and active lifestyle by taking part in the 2012 Commuter Challenge June 3 to 9, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh and Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister Jim Rondeau said today.

“The Commuter Challenge reminds Manitobans how important it is to find more environmentally friendly ways to get around,” Mackintosh said during the launch at the new Fort Rouge rapid transit terminal. “Provincial government employees have enthusiastically supported this week-long event for more than a decade and our goal is to increase the number of Manitobans taking part this year.”


The annual event challenges Manitobans to walk, run, take a bus, form a car pool, or use bikes or roller blades to get to work.

“We need to think about better ways to get around this week and all year long,” said Rondeau. “Increasing physical activity is a key priority of healthy living and you don’t have to start out with something major. Even little changes will make a difference to your health, your wallet and the environment.”
Manitobans earned top marks in last year’s challenge, logging more than one million green kilometres during the week, Mackintosh said. More than 7,300 employees at 241 workplaces helped save 71,500 litres of fuel and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions by 167,000 kilograms, Rondeau noted.

“We know that Manitobans love a challenge,” said Green Action Centre executive director Randall McQuaker. “This is one that is not only great for the environment, it’s also great for health, fun and fitness. The Commuter Challenge is a positive way to get people thinking about their travel choices.”

In keeping with its commitment to a cleaner environment, the Manitoba government has introduced amendments to the Highway Traffic Act that would support more active transportation across the province. The proposed changes would expand the definition of traffic to include bicycles and would allow municipalities to pass bylaws that regulate bike traffic in their communities.
The Manitoba government is also a contributing partner (with the federal government and the City of Winnipeg) to the rapid transit initiative in Winnipeg.

For more information, go to http://greenactioncentre.ca or call 204-925-3775.
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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba and the Green Action Centre.


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