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Welcome to the first issue of “Foundations” the electronic newsletter of Socially and Environmentally Responsible Aggregate Canada (SERA Canada). This newsletter stems from our organization’s commitment to keep you, our stakeholders, abreast on the work that our Board, standards development panel and staff are undertaking as we develop a high but achievable certification system for the aggregate industry.
We are very proud of the progress we have made in just a few months. In a short time we have achieved some real progress towards a practical certification system for responsible aggregate extraction and use. A few of our accomplishments include:
- having the honour of Mr. Thomas Mueller, President & CEO of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) join the SERA board
- meeting with stakeholders across the province to discuss opportunities that certification presents and how they might be involved in SERA’s work
- releasing polling results on public perceptions towards the aggregate industry
- receiving constructive input on the Draft Consultation Standards
- forming a balanced expert standards development panel
- convening our Founding Board for its first meeting
- organizing a ‘state of the debate’ session on recycling of aggregates
- receiving lots of media attention. Including in-depth coverage from “In the Hills” magazine
I encourage you to forward this newsletter to individuals or groups who are interested in aggregate issues and the development of a responsible aggregate certification system. If you would like to receive future issues of “Foundations” please subscribe here using the “Join Our Mailing List!” button on the left.
Sincerely, Lorne Johnson, Executive Director, SERA
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Expert Standards Development Panel Forms
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At SERA we recognize that developing a robust and practical certification system means finding the ‘sweet spot’ that addresses the concerns and aspirations of local residents while ensuring a long-term supply of aggregates that is economically viable. To achieve this SERA has assembled a balanced panel of experts representing industry, environmental and community groups, First Nations and municipal interests to assist us in developing a certification system for aggregate extraction and use.
After months of outreach with key stakeholders, this panel of experts has been assembled to produce a final voluntary standard that defines credible, practical and measurable requirements for socially and environmentally responsible aggregate extraction in Ontario. Discussions are also underway with southern Ontario First Nations and other industry members on their involvement in this initiative. More information, including biographies of the individuals participating on SERA’s technical panel, can be found here.
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First Meeting of the SERA Founding Board
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On Thursday, August 22, 2011 the SERA Founding Board held its first meeting. This transitional board is tasked with helping establish SERA and ensuring that the tools, systems and resources are in place for the organization to fulfill its mandate.
At the Founding Board’s first meeting a Terms of Reference document guiding the mandate, goals and structure of the SERA Founding Board was adopted, outlining the major duties of the Board to ensure the success of SERA.
In accordance with these Terms of Reference the following Directors were elected to act as Officers of the organization.
a) Michael Fenn, Interim Chair
b) Maia Becker, Vice-Chair
c) Peter Kendall, Treasurer
d) Eric Stevenson, Secretary
The full list of SERA-Canada founding board members can be found here. Over the next 18 months, this founding board will be transitioning to a Permanent Board that reflects the balance and diversity of key stakeholder and industry voices.
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 Recycled Roads? ‘State of the Debate’ Breakfast with Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner and other experts |
It is with great pleasure we announce the first in a series of SERA “State of the Debate” sessions. Hosted in partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute and sponsored by the Canada Green Building Council and Rural Ontario Institute these sessions will bring together a diverse group of experts to discuss a wide range of topics related to responsible aggregates.
REGISTER HERE
SERA’s first Breakfast Session will examine the extent to which recycling best-practices can address the growing demands for aggregate materials while reducing pressures on the environment and communities.
Keynote speaker, Gord Miller, Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, Gord Miller, will be joined by a top-notch expert panel including:
- Steven Senior, Soils and Aggregate Section, Ministry of Transportation
- Ric Holt, Gravel Watch Ontario
- Medhat Shehata, Department of Civil Engineering, Ryerson University
- Moreen Miller, Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association
Following presentations there will be a panel discussion of best practices and barriers to aggregate recycling in Ontario.
When: October 27, 2011 7:30AM
Where: Cassie Campbell Centre, 1050 Sandalwood Pkwy, Brampton
Cost: $35 (this fee may be deferred for individuals/organizations who find the cost prohibitive. If you wish to request deferral please contact Nic Schulz at nschulz@sera.ca).
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Ontarians Support Responsible Certification of Pits and Quarries
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How would you rate your “quarry awareness”? Are aggregate operations good job and revenue generators? These are just a few of the questions asked by an Ipsos Reid study released by SERA this September.
Of the study’s findings SERA is most heartened to hear that if aggregate sites were independently certified and audited against voluntary world-class environmental and social standards over 88% of Ontarians say they would support them. These findings are pretty clear and we’re taking them as clear direction from the public to get on with our work of developing a truly world-class certification system for the aggregate industry.
The survey – which was presented by John Wright, Senior Vice-President, Ipsos Reid at a join session with SERA at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s AGM on August 22 – can be found here.
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| Thomas Mueller joins the SERA Founding Board |
SERA proudly announced the addition of Thomas Mueller, President & CAO, Canada Green Building Council to its Founding Board on August 30, 2011.
As we work to set, field-test and reach consensus on standards and auditing processes for aggregate certification the SERA Founding Board will benefit from Mr. Mueller’s extensive knowledge of the Canadian building industry. The addition of Mr. Mueller is an indication of the SERA’s successful efforts to attract a broad array of stakeholder interests.
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