AWARDS GALA

Author: Myriam Sainson   Date: 2011-10-06  Region: Estrie

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SHERBROOKE: 2011 finalists for the Prix d’excellence en environnement des Cantons de l’Est (Eastern Townships Prize for environmental excellence) were announced at a press conference which was held on September 23. These winners will be honored at the upcoming awards gala to be held October 25, at the Delta Hotel in Sherbrooke. This announcement was presented by the Townships’ Foundation for the Environment, the Regional Council for the Estrie environment and by the Honorary President Éric Arbour, Executive Director of the division of Demix Béton de Holcim Canada. This year will be the first time that a “Jeunesse (Youth) Category” has been added to the original selection of categories. Manon Laporte, President of the Selection Committee, was quoted as saying, “What wonderful candidates we have this year! The fact that the projects are so diversified, interesting and innovative will make it hard for the Jury to make their decision”…

As for Eric Arbour, the environmental performance of his company and its divisions are excellent: ''In the Eastern Townships, Demix Béton is the first and remains, to date, the only concrete producer in Canada to be certified ISO 14001. This certification not only is a sign of good leadership but also demonstrates the seriousness of our commitment to the public, our employees and our business partners. We also offer innovative solutions for sustainable development which meet the highest industry standards for the construction of LEED buildings.''

This will be the 18th edition of the Awards Gala for Excellence in the Environment, with the presentation of the 23 finalists. In the `Youth category '', the Jury selected three projects: CFER Magog, for the sorting of waste products, students at Triolet Sherbrooke for a project to plant over 15,000 trees and Polyvalente Louis-Saint-Laurent, East-Angus, with its bazaar project .

A brief presentation of the 23 finalist projects reveals extraordinary projects in each category:  ''Agricultural and Forestry'' -- 3 projects: Abri Végétal Inc - a technology showcase, The Appalachian Corridor  -- , a project to protect wood turtles, agricultural, forestry and agricultural and Appalachian Forest --Cooperative Wolfe, an integrated forest-wildlife management in the forest watershed Bernier. In the category ''Personal Contribution'', the 3 finalists were Eric Ferland, founder of Successful Projects, Robert Léo Gendron – Preservation of Nature and Stanjse Plantenga -- ''Wildlife Without Borders.''

In the category of ''large and medium enterprises and institutions” -- Caisse Populaire Granby-Haute-Yamaska --Carrefour cooperation, Cégep de Sherbrooke -- energy efficiency project, Coop-Metro Plus d'Abestos – environmentally-wise food market. The category ''Environmental Group and a non-profit organization'' has three finalists: Conservations des Vallons de la Serpentine --  protection of a watershed, Festival des Traditions du Monde – sustainable development, Group Écosphère – Exposition on the environment and healthy living in Brome. The category for Innovation in sustainable development includes AGF Brome -- automated composters; Rackam Design – Solar-powered Dairy; Sherbrooke OEM – design and construction of the first Multi-functional Center.

'' Small Business and Institution'' competitors are Attraction with ETHICA -- organic and ethical clothing, Eco-Coop -- a site for eco labels; Transfert Environnement -- expertise in waste management. For the category ''Municipality, MRC and municipal organizations'' two finalists were chosen:  City of Sherbrooke, Magog, Memphremagog MRC -- master plan for water basin retention of the Magog River ; the MRC de  Memphremagog  for its program for environmental awareness –2011-2015.

To book tickets for the Gala ($125 per unit or $800 for a table of 8 people), you should contact CREE at 819-821-4357 or by email at mailto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.