WINNIPEG - April 20, 2010 - Recognizing that the City’s senior community is a major asset to Winnipeg’s history and future, Mayor Sam Katz today issued a call to our City’s youth to provide nominations for the second annual “Mayor’s Senior of the Year Award.”

“Last year we held the first Senior of the Year award and the response from youth was fantastic and allowed us the opportunity to celebrate generous, giving and accomplished seniors in Winnipeg,” said Mayor Katz. “As Mayor, I am confident we can get an incredible response again this year, and look forward to celebrating more Winnipeg seniors who continue to improve the lives of everyone in our City.”

If you are a Winnipegger under the age of 18, and know a senior (60 years or older) who has made a difference in your life, or in the lives of others, you are encouraged to nominate them for “Mayor’s Senior of the Year Award.”

A wide range of activities including active living, arts and literature, care-giving and humanitarianism, leadership and community service, and education, are suggested criteria to include in your submissions.

Nomination forms are available through the Seniors Advisory Committee at www.samkatz.ca

For more information, please contact Denys Volkov via email at dvolkov@winnipeg.ca

Deadline for submissions is Tuesday June 1st, 2010.

WINNIPEG - April 20, 2010 - Committed to raising awareness of the environment and sustainability, the City of Winnipeg is encouraging Winnipeggers to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, this Thursday, April 22nd.

“More and more Winnipeggers are making every day Earth Day, by taking action in their daily routines to reduce energy consumption and ecological footprint,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “I urge all Winnipeggers to mark the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day by participating in one of the many planned community events, organizing their own event with family and friends, or by taking a personal action that supports environmental sustainability – planting a tree, picking up litter, buying a rain barrel or composter, or choosing an active transportation option rather than driving.”

Several Earth Day events are being hosted by community organizations throughout Winnipeg over the course of this week. Information on events is available on the City’s Greenspace web page at www.winnipeg.ca\greenspace.

Earth Day is the day designated for fostering appreciation of the earth's environment and awareness of the issues that threaten it. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth. Since that time, Earth Day has been officially observed on April 22nd. At present, Earth Day is observed in 175 countries.

The City has undertaken a number of environmental sustainability initiatives over the last year including:

• the Mayor’s Symposium on Sustainability held on April 25, 2009, which launched the year long OurWinnipeg initiative to create a new 25-year plan for Winnipeg, built on a foundation of sustainability
• Release of A Call to Action for OurWinnipeg in January 2010 - the first deliverable of the OurWinnipeg initiative, which outlines 76 early actions with 11 focusing on environmental sustainability
• the Hike It * Bike It * Like It active transportation network, a $20 million project supported by the Infrastructure Stimulus Program and all three levels of government
• the Residential Toilet Replacement Credit Program, which provides a rebate on water bills for the installation of a dual flush toilet
• the pilot Giveaway Weekend held on September 25 and 26, 2009, which invited Winnipeggers to place their unwanted treasures at the curb for others to re-use
• support for the first Ciclovia event and street festival in North America held on September 13, 2009, sponsored by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ

WINNIPEG - April 20 2010 - Due to the recent dry conditions and the extremely high potential for fires to burn out of control, the Fire Prevention Branch will - effective immediately - prohibit any type of burning (that would normally require a permit) within the City of Winnipeg.  No open air burning permits will be issued until further notice.  Should we receive evidence of burning without permits, we will pursue legal action against the property owner. 

Note:  Permits are not required for residential back yard fire pits and residential property owners should be reminded to use caution and follow the Neighborhood Livability By-law requirements for fire pits.