Town of Banff

Banff Wins Sustainable Community Award

June 6, 2009

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Town of Banff wins FCM-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community Award

Whistler, BC – The Town of Banff was the recipient of a 2009 FCM-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community Award at a ceremony during the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) 72nd Annual Conference and Municipal Expo™ in Whistler. Banff was the winner in the transportation category for its New Hybrid Bus System called Roam.

"FCM congratulates the Town of Banff for its FCM-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community Award in the transportation category," said Jean Perrault, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and mayor of Sherbrooke, Que. "We are especially proud that FCM's Green Municipal Fund approved funding for this important project that is contributing creative and practical solutions to some of the critical issues of the environment and sustainable development the world faces today."

On June 2, 2008, the town launched its new public transit system: Roam. With Roam, Banff became the first municipality in Canada to introduce an all-hybrid electric transit fleet, featuring four new diesel-electric hybrid buses.

Roam helps the town deliver on its sustainability objectives by providing a unique public transit option and showcasing innovative transportation technology. The fleet combines hybrid technology that reduces fuel consumption and emissions, with user-friendly features that encourage residents and visitors alike to park their vehicles and use Roam.

Increasing ridership on Roam will lower greenhouse gas emissions, ease traffic congestion on Banff's streets, and improve local air quality. As vehicular emissions are the largest contributor to air pollution in Banff, Roam is enhancing local air quality, while providing an affordable transportation option to visitors and locals alike.

"We believe living in a national park means we must be a leader in making environmentally considerate decisions. Our Council decided to spend an additional $1 million to go all hybrid.  It's a decision we are very proud of and this award validates it was the right one. A big thanks goes to FCM for supporting our investment and for pushing municipalities to act sustainably," said Mayor of Banff, John Stutz.

Since 2000, best practices in sustainable community development have been celebrated each year with the FCM-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community Awards.

The Awards are open to all municipal governments and their private-sector partners. To be eligible for an award in one of eight categories, projects must have been completed within two years of the date of application, or be in the final stages of implementation, and must have achieved measurable results. Submissions are judged by an expert panel of judges selected by FCM.

FCM's Green Municipal Fund and CH2M HILL Canada Ltd. are the primary sponsors of the Sustainable Community Awards. Transport Canada sponsors the transportation category and the Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) program sponsors the residential development category.

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For more information:

Dave Weatherall
Communications Officer
Green Municipal Fund
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
T: 613.907.6292
dweatherall@fcm.ca

Michelle Gurney
Manager of Marketing and Communications, Town of Banff
T: 403.762.1207