Mayors Talk Trash this Fall for the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Mayors Challenge
ACROSS CANADA – The 2015 Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is not finished yet, and now Canada’s civic leaders are getting into the action too.
To date, more than 55,000 Canadians have signed up for this year’s Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, the country’s largest direct-action conservation initiative, organized by the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and WWF-Canada, and presented by Loblaw Companies Limited. All year round, Canadians from coast to coast take to their local shorelines, picking up trash and debris before it impacts our waterways.
Canada’s mayors hope to bump those numbers even higher.
“Protecting our watersheds, oceans and streams is critical for the long term health of our environment and the people and animals that depend on it,” said Darrell Mussatto, Mayor of the City of North Vancouver and Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Utilities Committee.
Mayor Mussatto was among the first to take up the challenge. He’ll lead a cleanup in his municipality on Oct. 3, collecting litter to prevent it from entering the city’s storm drainage system, and ultimately its waterways.
Mayor Mussatto also challenged the mayors in his neighbouring communities and across the country to “a friendly competition” to see which community could collect the most litter. “Our team looks forward to highlighting the connection between litter in our streets and its impact on our waterways. By working with citizens and neighbouring communities we can enhance our urban watershed, help protect vital fish-bearing streams and promote healthy ocean ecosystems.”
Other mayors who have signed on to take part in the challenge this fall include Brandon, Manitoba Mayor Rick Chrest, who took part in a riverbank cleanup project in Brandon on Sept. 23, and Prince Rupert, B.C. Mayor Lee Brain, who will clean a shoreline with community members later this month.
“The mayors taking part in our mayors’ challenge exemplify leadership,” said Kate Le Souef, manager of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. “Human activity is causing the problem of shoreline litter and its impact on aquatic environments, so it’s up to each of us to help. These mayors are leading the way.”
The 2015 Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup runs until the end of November. Mayors across Canada are invited to take up the challenge, and together with their councils, community groups, residents and volunteers, collect litter from a shoreline in their own municipality. Items are documented and weighed, so friendly competition between communities is encouraged. Registration is online at ShorelineCleanup.ca.
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, is one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada. A conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and WWF-Canada, the Shoreline Cleanup aims to promote understanding of shoreline litter issues by engaging Canadians to rehabilitate shoreline areas through cleanups. www.ShorelineCleanup.ca
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is a non‐profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org
WWF-Canada
WWF-Canada is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca
Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, the nation’s largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. www.loblaw.ca
– 30 –
Media contact:
Deana Lancaster
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
[email protected]
604-659-3752