NEIA - Past Events

NEIA's annual Christmas party was held Wensday December 21st at the Crow's Nest. About 50 NEIA members joined us for food, refreshments, door prizes, music and lots of season's greetings and good cheer.

Special thanks to our sponsors: ADI Nolan Davis, Hi-Point Industries, AMEC Earth & Environmental, Leslie Grattan & Associates, Quality Matters, Sikumiut Environmental Management & Conestoga-Rovers & Associates

Key Markets Overview, Business Opportunities and Strategies to Develop and Commercialize Environment Technology - December 14, 2005

David Millar, President of Aegis Consulting of Halifax, discussed two recent environmental studies completed by Aegis - an Atlantic market access strategy forcusing on the US, Europe and the Caribbean, and a commercialisation model for the Atlantic environmental sector. Both of these address the whole area of trade and exporting in environmental products and services.

John Scott, Chair and CEO of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) updated NEIA members on the mandate and activities of the MMSB.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Nova Scotia's Waste Management Strategy Luncheon - September 8, 2005

Barry Friesen, Solid Waste Resource Manager from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour spoke to NEIA members regarding the considerable advances Nova Scotia has made in solid waste management. Since 1996, Nova Scotia has composted more than 233,000 tonnes of organic material, recycled 5.5 million tires, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of paper and plastic, steel/tin, aluminum and glass containers, and 1.5 billion beverage containers. In Nova Scotia over 3000 jobs have been created in solid waste management, approximately 46% of solid waste is being diverted from landfills and incinerators and 99% have curbside recycling.

Funding for environmental research and development: two sessions - Breakfast Session, September 1, 2005

NEIA hosted two sessions beginning with a presentation on funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) on new funding opportunities for emerging technologies related to soil and water quality, climate change and clean air. Followed by a presentation by Environment Canada on other programs available for environmental research and development.

For further information about SDTC's funding process and application request, please visit www.sdtc.ca and select under the Funding menu, the Application Process and Application Advice options.

An Overview of the Atlantic Innovation Fund, Round III Call for Proposals - Breakfast Session, August 9, 2005

ACOA representatives spoke to NEIA members about the Atlantic Innovation Fund. The Atlantic Innovation Fund focuses on R&D projects in the area of natural and applied sciences, as well as in social sciences and humanities, where these are explicitly linked to the development of technology-based products, processes or services, or their commercialization.

NEIA along with CME & NLOWE hosted an export workshop to assist small to medium size businesses the foundation needed to explore markets beyond our shores. Topics included: Market Research, Market Entry & Customs & Transportation.

Bill Carter from InfoMarine Canadian Center for Marine Communication spoke to NEIA members at a breakfast session about Creating a Smart Bay, Enhancing marine safety, protecting the environment and supporting commercial viability in Placentia Bay.

A demonstration project in Placentia Bay will give local stakeholders access to that information. An initiative of CCMC, the project will help create a "Smart Bay" within the Placentia Bay ecosystem. Smart Bay gives quick and easy access to existing and new data via an expandable, networked technology platform.

Smart Bay will give operators and mangers real-time access to a broad range of local transportation, environmental and resource data for sustainable operations and reduced risk of marine incident.

Stephen Poloz, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist at Export Development Canada, during his “Let’s Talk Exports” cross-country tour addressed both NEIA members and Non members. Stephen talked about Canada's exporting companies and issues facing them with regards to the Canadian dollar, interest rates and competition. He answered such questions as How will it all turn out? Will global financial tensions ease naturally, or will they build further and provoke a crisis and recession? Is the Canadian dollar headed even higher? What can companies do about competition from China? And where are the other great export opportunities Canadian companies should be pursuing?

Industrial Energy Cost Savings Workshop - March 24, 2005

Sponsored by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), in collaboration with Newfoundland Power and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association, a free workshop was offered to companies to:

Identify opportunities to reduce energy costs in your manufacturing operation
Find out how to take advantage of financial and technical support available from NRCan and Newfoundland Power
Learn how Molson Inc. has improved their "bottom-line" through energy efficiency improvements
Consulting firms and energy contractors who provide energy management services and products to industrial manufacturing operations are also encouraged to attend the session
Consultants and contractors can use the NRCan funding incentive as a "sales tool" to develop new business with industrial clients

Industry Networking Reception - March 23, 2005

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association's Board of Directors hosted a networking reception celebrating NEIA's success and growth.

The Hon. Tom Osborne, Minister, Environment and Conservation and the Hon. Loyola Sullivan, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, were two of the keynote speakers at the AGM, Conference & Trade Show Mr. Dean Macdonald, Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Mr. Gordon Carrick, Vice President Petro Canada also gave keynote address at the conference. Industry professionals, municipal officials and provincial and federal government representatives were present to discuss key issues to the industry including:
• Energy and Climate Change
• Requirements for Large Emitters
• Solid Waste Management
• Environmental Management Systems

Bill Morgan, President of Water Reclaim Systems in Texas, provided NEIA members with an overview of the environmental market in the Southwestern US. Mr. Morgan was be able to provide insight in to finding an agent and adequate representation in that market.

Mr. John Drover Director of Policy and Planning with the Department of Environment and Conservation provided NEIA members with an update and status report of the Provincial Government's progress on policy development related to climate change.