FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JUNE 12, 2003

Over 6,000 Students Participate in Clean Air Day!

Two schools tie for gold! R.H.G. Bonnycastle School (St. Vital) and École Taché (St. Boniface) took top honors with a record breaking 98% participation, while John W. Gunn Middle School (Transcona) took silver with an impressive 96% participation rate.

"Participating in the Challenge was a great way to recognize all those already committed to walking at our school and encourage new walkers to join in on the fun" shared Kim Gusdal, Physical Education Teacher at R.H.G. Bonnycastle School.

Congratulations to all schools who participated in the 4th annual Winnipeg Commuter Challenge. Participation was outstanding with over 6,000 students from 21 schools going green in celebration of Environment Week. The Commuter Challenge is a national Environment Week event targeted at workplaces and schools. Its purpose? To encourage individuals to examine their transportation patterns and try an alternative to the single occupancy vehicle.

In Canada, half of all children are driven to school each day. "This can not only deprive a child of physical activity but also has long-term effects on the environment and the health of the community as a whole" says Andrea Lamboo Miln, Program Coordinator with Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM), organizers of the Winnipeg Commuter Challenge. "Participating in the Commuter Challenge is a great way for children to build physical activity into their daily commute to and from school. It is also a fun way for schools to promote the importance of clean air, share walking safety skills with children, and address traffic congestion and air quality issues around their school."

The Challenge, along with International Walk to School Day (October), are two of the walk to school day events organized by RCM's Active and Safe Routes to School Program, which works with elementary schools in Winnipeg to promote safe, active, green and easy ways to school.

Comprehensive results for the Winnipeg Commuter Challenge will be released June 17, 2003, which will include Winnipeg's winning workplaces as well as Winnipeg's ranking among other Canadian cities participating in the Environment Week event.

For more information contact:
Andrea Lamboo Miln
Phone: 925-3773
E-mail: asrts@resourceconservation.mb.ca
Website: www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

En Français:
Serge LaRochelle
Phone: 925-3772
E-mail: serge@resourceconservation.mb.ca

Participants in the Active and Safe Routes to School Program:
Neil Sander, Physical Education Teacher, Arthur E. Wright Community School, 632-6314
Janet Taylor, Principal, Beaumont School, 895-2820
Peter Krahn, Principal École Riverbend Community School, 334-8417
John Macbeth, Principal, Linden Meadows School, 489-0799
Elaine Hanson, Principal, Oakenwald School, 474-0269

Congratulations to all Participating Winnipeg Commuter Challenge Schools:
Arthur E. Wright School
Bairdmore School
Beaumont School
Beaverlodge School
Brock Corydon School
Dufferin School
École Marie-Anne-Gaboury
École Provencher
École Riverbend School
École Taché
Henry G. Izatt Middle School
John W. Gunn Middle School
Kent Road School
Linden Meadows School
Lord Selkirk School
Oakenwald School
Pacific Junction School
R.H.G. Bonnycastle School
Robertson School
Shamrock School
Westview School

Winnipeg Commuter Challenge Planning Partners 2003:
City of Winnipeg
Climate Change Connection
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Manitoba Cycling Association
Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Public Health Association
Province of Manitoba
Winnipeg Transit

Winnipeg Commuter Challenge Sponsors 2003:
City of Winnipeg
Great West Life
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Investors Group
Manitoba Hydro
Olympia Cycle & Ski
Province of Manitoba
Winnipeg Transit