FCM Sustainability Conference Trade Show Kicks Off with Leading Green Technologies and Services for Municipalities

WINDSOR, ON, Feb. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - This morning, Raymond Louie, FCM's third vice-president, chair of the Green Municipal Fund Council and councillor for the City of Vancouver, officially opened FCM's 2013 Sustainable Communities Trade Show in Windsor, ON. The national event showcases the latest and greatest in green technology and services available to municipalities from the trade show's 58 exhibitors.

"I am very proud to open our trade show," said Louie. "Our corporate sponsors show the diverse and innovative products and services available to municipalities searching for sustainable solutions. This is the place to be!"

Joining Raymond Louie were representatives from the trade show's seven corporate partners: the Cement Association of Canada, Data on the Spot, FER-PAL, IBM, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, NAPA Auto Parts and Sun Country Highway.

"Our trade show is the place where municipal early adopters and sustainable product and service providers can connect," said Louie. We encourage all participants to talk about what they learn here so they can make their communities as sustainable and as environmentally friendly as possible."

Electric car test drive on inside track

For the first time at a national municipal event, some 400 mayors, councillors, municipal staff, federal and provincial representatives, as well as private sector and not-for-profit sustainability professionals from around the country will have the chance to test drive Mitsubishi all-electric car, the i-MiEV, on the 155-foot track set up inside the Caesars Windsor trade show.

The fuel-efficient, affordable subcompact is gaining traction among Canadian fleet operators, including municipalities. The City of Vancouver has made its municipal fleet the greenest in Canada with 17 i-MiEV hatchbacks. The Quebec government, the City of Calgary, the City of Toronto and BC's Saanich Police Department have also bought the i-MiEV.

FCM's Sustainable Communities Conference runs from February 13 to 15 in Windsor.

FCM has been the national voice of municipal governments since 1901. It fosters the development of ustainable communities to improve quality of life by promoting strong, effective, and accountable municipal government.

SOURCE: FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES

For more information, to arrange an interview, contact Maurice Gingues, media relations officer, at 613-907-6399 or at [email protected].