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Toronto (February 28, 2019) — PortsToronto is proud to present its fourth annual Sustainability Report, which details progress in the priority areas that define sustainability for the organization, including environmental stewardship, community engagement and economic performance. This year’s report also includes a fourth priority area—People and Culture—which speaks to PortsToronto’s commitment to health and safety in the workplace.
In this fourth edition, a comprehensive performance summary is included that provides a detailed overview of the organization’s achievements as they relate to the work PortsToronto does to employ environmental best practices throughout its operations. The performance summary clearly defines PortsToronto’s future goals in sustainability and identifies areas for improvement as the organization continues to measure the impact of its efforts and determine where more can be done.
In 2018, PortsToronto continued to implement sustainable practices and invest in initiatives that protect the environment, support the community and the wellbeing of its employees, and grow Toronto’s economy. Some of these initiatives include:
- Continuing to choose 100% green electricity from Bullfrog Power across all operations—the airport, port and marina;
- Completing a significant $35 million-dollar project to modernize the Billy Bishop Airport airfield, including replacing all of the airfield lighting and signage with energy efficient LED lighting and the construction of a Ground Run-Up Enclosure that has significantly reduced noise complaints related to engine testing;
- Removing millions of pounds of debris from Toronto’s Harbour to prevent flooding and create natural habitats to increase biodiversity;
- Diverting electronic waste from unsafe disposal by introducing an expanded recycling program;
- Launching a PortsToronto Staff Wellness Program to promote both physical and mental health in the workplace; and,
- Investing $11 million in community and environmental initiatives since 2009, supporting such organizations as Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Evergreen Brickworks, Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre and Ireland Park Foundation.
“From completing a significant airfield rehabilitation program, to launching a safe battery disposal program, to participating in
Clean Water Our Future–Toronto Islands, I am immensely proud of the strides we have made in sustainability as highlighted in our fourth annual report,” said Geoffrey Wilson, CEO, PortsToronto. “Going forward, we will continue to work toward further reducing our environmental footprint by building upon the strong organization-wide foundation we have created for a sustainable future. In 2019 and beyond, we will continue to focus on key areas including, GHG emission and waste reduction, noise mitigation, and continued support for the City of Toronto.”
PortsToronto’s sustainability report was prepared in consultation with Delphi Group, a pioneer in sustainability and environmental risk management with more than 25 years of experience helping some of Canada’s best-known companies improve the sustainability of their organizations.
To read PortsToronto’s full sustainability report, click
here or visit
www.portstoronto.com.
About PortsToronto (https://www.portstoronto.com)
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed 2.8 million passengers in 2017; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $11 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.
About Delphi Group
The environmental priority areas detailed in PortsToronto’s sustainability report were assessed by Delphi Group. As a pioneer in sustainability and environmental risk management, the Delphi Group has more than 25 years of experience helping some of Canada’s best-known companies improve the sustainability of their organizations — as well as the local and global communities in which they operate. For more information visit
www.delphi.ca.
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Media Contact:
Sarah Sutton
Manager, Communications and Government Relations
PortsToronto
Cell: (647) 298-0544
E-mail:
ssutton@portstoronto.com