CPWA Monday at Congress Gail Ann Clark CPWA Staff Liaison American Public Works Association Washington, D.C.
nce again this year, the Canadian membership of APWA was well represented with 310 Canadians making the trip to sunny Anaheim, California for Congress. Joining together for a Chapter Dinner and “networking” at the Ontario Hospitality Suite have become traditions for the Canadians at Congress—traditions enjoyed both by the Canadians and by guests of their “hospitality” who venture from as far as Australia and New Zealand. Also by tradition, the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) offers a Monday morning educational session to update members on the CPWA legislative agenda and advocacy. This year’s session featured
CPWA President Darwin K. Durnie, PWLF, who briefed the crowd on CPWA activities and input for the federal government’s next longterm plan for infrastructure. APWA Board Member Linda Petelka, PWLF, of the Region of Peel, ON, outlined the CPWA project “The Report Card for Infrastructure” which has been co-led by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Canadian Construction Association, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, and CPWA. The “Report Card” findings provide a snapshot of the current water, wastewater and road infrastructure in Canada and are to be announced on September 11, 2012. Finally, Brent Colbert of Tactix, CPWA advocacy consultant
in Ottawa, gave an update on recent happenings in Ottawa and preview of what we might expect as the Parliament returns from summer recess on September 3, 2012. Sustainability was the topic for the annual CPWA Luncheon at Congress which was well attended with an audience of over 150 people. U.S.based Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Executive Director William J. Bertera described the need, background, and progress of the Institute and its Envision™ tool for rating infrastructure. Envision provides a holistic framework for evaluating and rating the community, environmental, and economic benefits of all types and sizes of infrastructure projects. The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure and Envision Rating System are U.S. based and produced, but could be most applicable model and provide information for a Canadian system. Bill invites CPWA members and others to take a look at the Envision tool on the ISI website: www. sustainableinfrastructure.org.
CPWA President Darwin K. Durnie spoke to the attendees on CPWA activities and input for the federal government’s next long-term plan for infrastructure. 36 APWA Reporter
October 2012
Always a highlight of the CPWA Luncheon is the announcement of the winning municipalities for CPWA’s National Public Works Week awards program. This year was no exception as NPWW Chair Kealy Dedman announced winners from an outstanding group of submissions from municipalities both small and large.
