MPP Malhi Visits Louise Arbour Secondary School Highlights Conservation at an Ontario EcoSchool

Harinder Malhi, MPP for Brampton-Springdale, visited Louise Arbour Secondary School in Brampton today to raise awareness about conservation in Ontario. Louise Arbour Secondary School participates in Ontario EcoSchools, an education and certification program that helps school communities develop ecological literacy and environmental practices. At Louise Arbour Secondary School, students have encouraged energy conservation by holding Earth Hour events, conducting spring and fall energy audits to identify where energy savings can occur throughout the school and carrying out spot checks in common areas to ensure that computers aren’t left on when the computer lab is not in use, for instance. Ontario is investing $1.35 million over the next three years to support new initiatives that will educate students on ways to conserve energy and help fight climate change through the Ontario EcoSchools program. Conservation is the cleanest and least costly energy resource, and offers consumers a means to reduce their electricity bills. Putting conservation first is part of Ontario’s plan to build a stronger economy, create new jobs and promote innovative ways to protect the environment. QUOTES “Early outreach for students and engagement with teachers and parents helps make energy conservation and environmental stewardship a priority for everyone in Ontario. Thanks to Ontario EcoSchools, we are raising today’s students to be tomorrow’s conservation and environmental leaders.”— Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy “Brampton is fortunate to have great schools like Louise Arbour Secondary School and Ontario EcoSchools working together to teach our children conservation and environmental leadership. Thanks to the lessons they learn today, our future will be in good hands.” — Harinder Malhi, MPP, Brampton-Springdale “Louise Arbour Secondary School has been a certified EcoSchool since the school opened in the fall of 2010. The vibrant hands-on, Ecoschools program supports the school mission of helping students to develop into socially responsible citizens through authentic learning.” — Linda Ryan and Carmelina Figliomeni-Crupi, EcoTeam Lead Teachers, Louise Arbour SS “Becoming an EcoSchool requires an entire school community to work together to conserve energy, reduce waste, green their school grounds while engaging in environmental learning and action. The program’s student-centered approach is based on daily actions that build leadership skills and promote positive change within and beyond school walls.” — Elanor Waslander, Executive Director, Ontario EcoSchools QUICK FACTS  Ontario is putting conservation first. Conservation offers families and businesses a way to reduce costs, can help businesses compete and create jobs, contributes to a sustainable future, and offers environmental benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education and certification program for grades K- 12 that helps school communities develop both ecological literacy and environmental practices to become environmentally responsible citizens and reduce the environmental footprint of schools.  Ontario EcoSchools is the largest environmental education program in the province, engaging over 820,000 students.  Based on a Sustainable Schools report, seven of the Top 10 Energy Performing School Boards in Ontario participate in the Ontario EcoSchools program and many of them have cited Ontario EcoSchools as a key strategy for continued engagement of staff and students in energy conservation practices.  As announced in February 2016, Ontario is providing $1.35 million over the next three years to support Ontario EcoSchools projects that are helping future generations continue to save energy and fight climate change.  School boards access the EcoSchools program free of charge. Ontario EcoSchools operates with support from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Energy and is administered by York University