Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Turning staff green earns firms commuter awards

THREE Winnipeg businesses have won provincial awards for encouraging their employees to make green commutes.

Manitoba Hydro took top honours at the 2010 Commuter Friendly Workplace Awards Monday at the Fairmont Winnipeg hotel. Second place went to the pharmaceutical company Cangene and third place to the Mountain Equipment Co-op outdoor goods retailer.

Hydro was recognized for the 46 per cent increase in discounted monthly bus passes bought by its employees through Winnipeg Transit's EcoPass program.

Hydro has also instituted an emergency ride-home program, secure indoor bike parking, showers for active commuters and a compressed workweek schedule.

Employees are also encouraged to carpool to meetings.Cangene achieved a 20 per cent uptake on the EcoPass, as well as in-house workshops, showers and change rooms and an emergency ride-home program.

MEC captured the "small workplace" award for its commitment to car-free commuting for employees. The downtown store does not offer any vehicle parking for staff, but does provide secure indoor bike parking, showers and lockers. The store also offers a workstation with tools and clinics on basic bike repair. As well, a field course took staff out riding on the new Winnipeg cycling infrastructure.

The annual awards are given by Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM), a non-profit, non-government organization that provides assistance to workplaces, schools and individuals to make green travel choices.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 22, 2010 A9

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