Ville de Saint-Jérôme wins Watershed Award for Quebec

IBC and FCM announce winners of first annual Watershed Awards to recognize communities adapting to effects of climate change

TORONTO, May 29 /CNW/ - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), has awarded Ville de Saint-Jérôme the 2010 Watershed Award for the province of Quebec for its Parc Schulz Retention Pond Project.

This is the inaugural year of the Watershed Awards, which are part of FCM's Sustainable Community Awards and were presented this evening at FCM's 73rd Annual Conference and Municipal Expo(TM) in Toronto. The awards were created to recognize Canadian municipalities that have taken proactive measures to reduce their vulnerability to storm and wastewater damage.

"Severe weather resulting from climate change has become a formidable foe," said Jack Chadirdjian, Director of Public & Government Affairs, IBC. "Insurers see first-hand the impact and havoc this causes for individuals and communities. The Watershed Awards shine a spotlight on communities that have taken the initiative to adapt to the effects of climate change to protect their citizens and, in the process, inspire other communities to follow their lead," he added.

FCM President Basil Stewart, mayor of Summerside, PEI, said: "Municipalities are among the leaders in the battle against climate change. It's important to recognize the most innovative measures being implemented by municipal governments across the country to reduce storm and wastewater damage in their communities."

The Parc Schulz Retention Pond, Ville de Saint-Jérôme, QC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGQJCTXPluU

In recent years, Ville de Saint-Jérôme has implemented a system of using drainage basins to catch stormwater instead of allowing surface runoff to immediately enter storm sewers. The goals of this new system are to protect the environment and to reduce development costs. Drainage basins are now an important aspect of Ville de Saint-Jérôme's development and infrastructure planning, which is managed according to a long-term vision for the use of city land. The Parc Schulz Retention Pond Project is an example of the city's new, environmentally aware approach, and illustrates how an infrastructure project can be multi-functional, offering benefits that are utilitarian, ecological and recreational.

About IBC

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $39 billion.

About FCM

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. With more than 1,800 members, FCM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction. Members include Canada's largest cities, small urban and rural communities and 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations.

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For further information: IBC: Ellen Woodger, [phone]; or Pete Karageorgos, [phone] ext. 4329; FCM: Maurice Gingues, [phone], or [email protected]