WINNIPEG - May 14, 2003 - Winnipeggers are invited to help the City go green.

Members of the public will help develop a formal plan to address environmental issues affecting the City and surrounding communities at a series of open environmental Town Hall Meetings. The first will be held Tuesday, May 20th, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Winnipeg Art Gallery Muriel Richardson Auditorium. Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute and Mike Scatliff of Scatliff + Miller + Murray (landscape architects) will discuss Sustainable Transportation and Land Use Planning.

Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray and City Councillor Gord Steeves, Chair of the Civic Environmental Committee, invite interested Winnipeggers to add their voices to the talks.

"A long-term environmental strategy for Winnipeg has been a long time coming. Once firmly in place, we'll know how we'll be handling the key environmental issues each of us is concerned about. This is an excellent opportunity to hear from our diverse community as we formulate a plan that will make Winnipeg a place we're proud to leave to our grandchildren," says Mayor Glen Murray.

"Winnipeg is setting out to become the most environmentally progressive community in Canada. We believe that public participation in these talks is critical to moving ahead with a plan that covers all the environmental issues," says Coun. Steeves.

"Each of the upcoming sessions will help provide advice on where Council should focus and prioritize our environmental efforts," says Steeves.

On May 1st, the Civic Environmental Committee released a discussion document with 21 suggestions for a phased-in environmental strategy. Following the conclusion of public meetings, City Council expects to adopt a formal plan by the end of summer 2003.

Other Town Halls include:

• Weighing The Risks- Pesticide Use and Human Health - May 22nd, 6:30 p.m. Winnipeg Convention Centre, 2nd Floor Presentation Theatre
• Youth, the Environment and Sustainable Communities - June 3rd, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. University of Winnipeg Eckhardt-Grammatte Hall, 515 Portage Avenue
• Smart Growth and Cities, hosted by the Manitoba Professional Planners Institute on Wednesday, June 4th, 6:30 p.m. University of Winnipeg, Eckhardt-Grammatte Hall, 515 Portage Avenue

Copies will also be distributed at the Town Hall meetings.