Leaders from industry, government, community, First Nations and research and innovation associations gathered together at Lambton College recently for a two-day workshop to identify new initiatives that would help to ensure long-term sustainable development and prosperity for Sarnia-Lambton. The event was sponsored by the Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association (SLEA), and was attended by more than 40 participants.
The workshop was designed to build upon the previous Sarnia-Lambton Community Summit workshops and meetings. Over two days, the participants identified opportunities and strategies to pursue new business initiatives such as diversification into bio-based feedstocks, new alternative energy sources and ongoing community educational processes.
These initiatives, along with other identified strategies, will be managed under a broad “Bluewater Sustainability Initiative” led by representatives from the City of Sarnia, the Chamber of Commerce, Lambton College, the Sarnia Economic Partnership, industry and environmental associations, among others.
Rick Van Hemmen, SLEA President and member of the workshop steering team said, “We wanted to bring these leaders together and tap into their expertise to identify ways we could move our community forward. The creative ideas, collaboration and enthusiasm from everyone was tremendous. We live in a community that has a long history of collaboration, and we now have an opportunity to form even stronger partnerships to ensure our collective prosperity, while minimizing our ecological footprint.” Van Hemmen went on to say, “We have a clear vision, and that is, for Sarnia-Lambton to be recognized as a hybrid, green community.”
For more information please contact:
Jo Ann Brown
519-862-2911, ext. 2591
Questions & Answers
Q: Who was there?
A: We had a very diverse audience. The participants were representative of the City, Lambton College, the Sarnia Economic Partnership, SLEA, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the Industrial Educational Partnership, First Nations and environmental associations such as WATCH and Friends of the St. Clair River, UWO Research Park – Sarnia and London, the Ontario Chemical Value Chain Initiative (OCVCI) and the Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network (SOBIN).
Q: What came out of the workshop specifically?
A: We identified a vast array of forward thinking initiatives, but distilled the list down to what we agreed were the top 5 initiatives where we should focus, and where we could quickly make an impact:
- Bio-Hybrid – we want Sarnia-Lambton to be recognized as a leader in bio and traditional chemistry – to be known as a “Hybrid Valley”.
- Setting new standards – we want to set new standards, as an integrated community, to minimize our ecological footprint – with measured targets.
- Alternative energy sources – to develop and use alternative energy sources for efficiencies that will lessen environmental impacts.
- Ongoing Community education and collaboration with all stakeholders – so our community members can understand the benefits and principles of sustainability. It’s an ongoing process.
- Create a Sarnia Sustainability Initiative – to ensure an ongoing collective voice to and from our community. We want all stakeholders to be aware of and share best practices from other communities. We have many “firsts” and best practices that have been acknowledged globally in Sarnia, and we need to continue to learn and share with other communities.
Q: How can you be sure something positive will come from the workshop?
A: Every leader – and influencer – who was present at the workshop committed to doing whatever is necessary to move forward. In fact, what we realized in gathering this diverse group together was, that many, many successful initiatives are already underway! We agreed that we need to do a better job in engaging the community and making them more aware. That’s why we established the Bluewater Sustainability Initiative.