2 September 2010

Past editions of EXPRESSions are available here in PDF format

2010 Fall Conference Registration Now Open 

Registration for the Fall Conference is now open. If you register on or before 4 October 2010, you will receive the early-bird price of $680. Schedule-at-a-Glance, technical tour descriptions, hotel information and sponsorship opportunities are available online.

For more information, contact Anna Schell at extension 116.

Trans-Expo Exhibitor Manual Now Online 

Reserve your booth and bus spaces for Trans-Expo 2010 as space is quickly filling up. Please note the deadline for submitting your company's description for the Show Guide is 10 September 2010. You may submit your description using the online form. The Exhibitor Manual and display contractor order forms are now available online for Trans-Expo exhibitors.

For all other inquiries, contact Anna Schell at extension 116.

CUTA Ottawa Office Moves to Downtown Location 

Effective today, the CUTA Ottawa office is moving from its previous location in the OC Transpo building at 1500 St. Laurent Blvd. to a downtown location at 440 Laurier Avenue, Suite 200, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X6.  This move will enable CUTA to be in much greater proximity to Parliament Hill, federal government departments and other stakeholders.  It will make it easier for CUTA to host meetings and interact with those who are critical to the Association's public affairs and government relations function.  As a result, the address, telephone and fax numbers have changed but e-mail addresses remain the same.  Contact numbers are (613) 788-7982 for Patrick Leclerc, (613) 788-7985 for Lucie Campeau and (613) 248-7965 for the fax. 

For more information, contact Patrick Leclerc at (613) 788-7982. 

Regional Youth Summits Move Forward 

CUTA has been working with its regional committees on implementing the Board of Directors decision to hold five regional Youth Summit events in 2011.  A new section will be developed for the CUTA web site dedicated to these events.  This new tab will contain details relating to each event such as dates, locations, sponsorship details and briefs descriptions of each regional program. The content of this section will also be updated on a regular basis and all stakeholders will be kept up-to-date on the development and evolution of each event.  CUTA is committed to support the regional organizing committees to ensure that these events are a success and will continue to build new youth initiatives in the coming year.  

For more information, please contact John Moudakis at extension 102.

Thunder Bay Transit Invests in STRADA 

Thunder Bay Transit recently confirmed its decision to purchase the STRADA Program and implement it as the organization's official bus operator recruitment tool.  Thunder Bay's decision brings to 19 the number of systems that have selected STRADA as their preferred tool for operator selection.  "The success of any transit system is dependent on the quality of its employees. Using the STRADA Program will assist Thunder Bay Transit in choosing the best candidates for operator positions to ensure continued success," said Catherine Aubut, Supervisor - Administration.  

For further information, please contact Vassil Chalashkanov at extension 119.

Royal Canadian Mint to Make Changes to $1 and $2 Coins

The Royal Canadian Mint recently held two meetings with the coin acceptance and handling industry stakeholders on upcoming changes to the $1 and $2 coins following the Government of Canada's announcement in March 2010 to modernize Canada's currency.  The initiative will impact the weight and electromagnetic signature of the $1 and $2 coins.  The coins are expected to enter circulation in late 2011. 

For more information, please contact Christopher Norris at extension 109.

The University of Waterloo's Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering actively conducts research on methods to improve the planning, design and operations of public transportation systems. 

For more information, contact Becky Benaissa at extension 108.

Environment Canada and Transport Canada Hold First Meeting on 2014 Emission Regulations 

Environment Canada and Transport Canada recently held a joint meeting with stakeholders on 2014 Emission Regulations.  As part of an ongoing series of new emission regulations, the upcoming 2014 regulations will address Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  Previous emission regulations in 2007 and 2010 addressed particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).  The meeting included an update on the process for the development of regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and a roundtable discussion on complementary measures. Environment Canada and Transport Canada indicated that additional stakeholders meetings would be held with a broader audience in the near future. 

For more information, please contact Christopher Norris at extension 109.

Call for Sustainable Technology Funding Applications 

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a Government of Canada initiative that finances and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies, recently announced its latest call for funding applications.  SDTC supports late-stage development and pre-commercial demonstration of clean technologies by Canadian companies and is accepting Statements of Interest for funding from 1 September to 20 October 2010 for new, innovative technologies that help address climate change or promote clean water, land or air. 

The Statement of Interest is an initial application used for preliminary screening and is subject to a competitive review process by SDTC and a panel of independent experts.  Applications are evaluated on the basis of their fit with SDTC's mandate, selection criteria, and the quality of technology, marketing and business capabilities. 

For more information about SDTC's funding process and criteria, please visit the SDTC web site.