Employers reap rewards of "Smart Commuting"
City of Mississauga recognized as Smart Commute Regional Employer of the Year
Toronto, November 19, 2010 - At the annual Smart Commute Awards last evening, it was clear that the Smart Commute program, established in 2004, is transforming the culture of commuting across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
"Smart Commute is a concept that has clearly captured the interest of some of the most innovative organizations in the GTHA," says Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO, Metrolinx. "They understand that we can no longer afford to ignore the huge toll that commuter gridlock is taking on our health, our economy and the environment."
The fourth annual Smart Commute Employer of the Year awards were handed out last night at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto. Ten workplaces, from Caledon to Hamilton to Ajax, were recognized for their outstanding efforts in helping employees create alternatives to driving to work by walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling and telework. One exceptional leader - the City of Mississauga - was chosen as the Regional Employer of the Year.
"The City of Mississauga is a leading partner and a strong supporter of Smart Commute Mississauga's initiatives," says Janice Baker, City Manager and CAO. "Working together, we have established an Employee Smart Commute program that encourages employees to consider and use alternative transportation options. The Carpool Zone ride-matching website, an alternative work arrangement policy, employee bike share program, discounts on transit fares and reimbursements for cycling during the day for business are some of the services available to City employees that support sustainable commuting choices."
Other winning employers include the Town of Caledon, State Farm Insurance, aircraft landing gear manufacturer Messier-Dowty, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Philips Electronics Ltd., Enbridge Gas Distribution, vaccine producer Sanofi Pasteur, WorleyParsons Minerals & Metals-Toronto, and the Liberty Village Business Improvement Area.
Winners were selected by an independent panel of community members from various sectors across the GTHA. Nominations were evaluated based on the employer's commitment to the program, leadership in their communities, innovation and results.
Smart Commute is a program of Metrolinx and the municipalities in the GTHA. To date, more than 150 employers with 350,000 employees
have signed on to the Smart Commute program. Services such as the Carpool Zone online ride-matching service are also available to the public at
www.smartcommute.ca.
Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For more information, visit www.metrolinx.com.
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