Bob Eilers introduced our speaker for the evening. Bob and Donna have known each other since back in University.

 

Donna has a Master of Science degree and over 20 years of professional experience in the environmental field. As the Sustainable Development practitioner at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries her role is to assist advancing the Corporation’s sustainable goals which include waste minimization, water stewardship, energy efficiency, carbon emissions reduction as well as responsible procurement. Through Liquor & Lotteries, Donna participates in a number of local initiatives promoting sustainable development including being a member of the Fair Trade Winnipeg Steering Committee, a member of the Sustainable Procurement in Manitoba Working Group, a member of the Bee Better Manitoba working group promoting solitary bee habitat in our city and finally as a member of Lake Friendly, supporting educational and awareness programs associated with surface water in our province.

 

Donna started her presentation by asking the question, “Who is Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries?”.  They operated 73 to 75 buildings in the province and buy a lot of material goods, services, energy as well as having a large staff. There are a lot of environmental issues that arise due to the size of the organization.  Any profits from Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries go back to the province to be used for other departments such as health, education, social and community services, economic development, public safety.

                   

In the period between the 1940’s and 1970 there was a lineal economy. In the late 1970’s the idea of a sustainable development was brought into the conversation. This was actually an effort to redefine economic development. Different countries had different definitions. The 1980’s brought in a conservation perspective. In 1987, Brundtland brought forth the theory of equality. Think of the future. Remember the people. In the 1990’s there were tech advances such as solar and wind for energy sources.

 

 

 

Sustainable Development practices follow the chart above. Top to bottom. The U.N. is focused on the environment. Canada follows the Brundtland Commission. You must change financial management style to achieve maximum sustainable development.

           

In the image above, the Planet and People are the most important when thinking about sustainable development. The economy will follow along if the principles of sustainable development are followed.

           

The ‘Added resources’ above refer to Donna and one other individual that manage sustainable development for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL).

           

           

Sustainability is described in the chart above, starting from the bottom with ‘Business Planning’ and ending with ‘Item Disposal’. This is fairly easy if the Finance Department is focused on economic development. Sustainable Development belongs in the Finance Department!

           

Rod MacLean asked a question at this point. “Please give an example of an Environmental Goal helping with Sustainable Development”.

 A.- We know the total energy consumption in 2010. We want to reduce this consumption 20% by 2018. Look for areas to renovate, change energy source, move to new space.

Another example would be in the ‘Food and Beverage’ area. MBLL purchases $4 million in food and beverages /year. Of this, 25% must be locally sourced. This would reduce greenhouse gases due to the reduced trucking involved.

             

In 1997 the procurement requirements were broadened beyond ‘price and quality’. Social and environmental issues were to be considered in the procurement process. So, for example when buying lawn mowers – what type of fuel? Don’t buy uniforms from sweatshops. Even the type of paper bought by government. The U.S.A. government has revised its paper procurement to mandate that the paper must have 30% post-consumer paper products being used in the manufacture of the new paper. This results in a reduction of 30% of the pulp required from the forest. Paper can be used up to 7 times in the pulp process.

           

Donna advised that Goal #12 in the chart above is considered to be the most important. That is ‘Responsible Consumption’.

           

A simple example for the information above would be the purchase of ‘Fair trade Coffee’. The certifications show that the farmer and employees have been paid a fair price for their product. Biodiversity is coming back due to this. The use of these third-party certifications allows staff involved with procurement of supplies to know that they are following sustainable development practices.

           

           

By tracking these metrics, MBLL can see if the desired outcomes are there regarding energy consumption in the buildings that MBLL operates. Each vehicle in the MBLL fleet is also monitored for energy consumption. The goal is to see that every vehicle is operating with-in 5% of the stated fuel economy from the manufacturer. If not, is it a mechanical issue with the vehicle or is it the way that the vehicle is being driven?

           

Greenhouse gases have been reduced over the past 4 years, as shown above. This has mainly been due to building renovations.

           

           

Both the cattail biomass project and Bullfrogpowered natural gas project give carbon offsets for MBLL.

           

Electrical equipment recycling has a goal of 99.9% recycled (computers, phones, terminals, gaming machines) all to be resold or broken down to original elements.

           

The MBLL follows an understanding in their S.D. policy, that they will either ‘Pollute or Pay’. So, MBLL pays for 85% of the cost of recycling of its waste products (glass bottles, cans, paper etc.), this is usually ~ $1 million/year.

           

Executives receive quarterly reports on the status/metrics of MBLL’s sustainable development efforts.

           

Poster reports are even put up for employees to see how they are doing in their casino/building related to all efforts in sustainable development.

           

Q/A

1.-Darvin Jasper questioned what Donna’s opinion was regarding Carbon Taxes.

A.-She believes that todays effort is about 20 years too late. We will need additional efforts/programs to meet current goals.

2.-Chuck Crocker asked why he can not return his bottles to the Liquor Marts.

A.- The Beer Vendors want you to come back to their establishments. The vendors also get paid to recycle these items for MBLL.