2017-2018 Annual Report
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2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT POLLUTION PROBE 1 Contents About Pollution Probe Our Mission 3 Our Vision 3 Our Goals 3 Our Values 4 Board of Directors (as at March 2018) 5 Staff (as at March 2018) 5 Interns 2017–2018 5 Statement from the Interim CEO 6 Project Highlights Energy 7 Transportation 9 Water 12 Participation Pollution Probe on Demand 13 2018 Pollution Probe Gala – Piloting Progress 17 Our Events 20 Donor Recognition Sponsors and Major Supporters 22 Individual Donors 23 Support Pollution Probe Today! 27 Financial Information – The Pollution Probe Foundation Condensed Statement of Financial Position 28 Condensed Statement of Operations 28 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT POLLUTION PROBE 2 About Pollution Probe Pollution Probe is a Canadian charitable environmental organization that is a leading agent of change at the intersection of communities, health and environment. Since 1969, we have been defining environmental problems through research, promoting understanding through education and pressing for practical solutions through advocacy. OUR MISSION OUR GOALS We seek to improve the health and well-being of We work to constantly improve our ability to Canadians by advancing policy that achieves discuss, educate and engage people with positive, tangible environmental change. content that is current and thoroughly researched in order to create change. OUR VISION We aspire to be recognized as a leading source of information on environmental issues, to partner credibly with government and industry in developing environmental solutions, and to be a trusted voice on environmental policy. 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT POLLUTION PROBE 3 OUR VALUES Inclusive Focused We consider the interests of all those with a We undertake activities that are fundamentally legitimate stake in an issue, and with them we seek directed at supporting and enabling policy change. opportunities to partner and to build coalitions of support for progressive policy. Evidence-Based Independent We are led by science, basing our positions upon sound research and objective analysis, rather than In all business activities, we work to maintain our ideological labels. capacity to act independently in representing the needs of the general public. Learning Non-Partisan We build our knowledge and capacity by We seek to work cooperatively with all levels of constantly testing our assumptions and validating government and with all political parties to ensure our impact by surveying our colleagues, by that the environmental needs of current and future consulting experts and by maintaining an open generations are addressed. mind when engaging stakeholders. Results-Oriented Innovative We choose issues and engage in activities when we We always seek new and effective means of judge that we may reasonably expect tangible achieving our mission, adapting our approach to results that improve the environment from our advocacy as issues emerge and the market participation. evolves. 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT POLLUTION PROBE 4 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (as at March 2018) STAFF (as at March 2018) Chair Ingrid Thompson – CEO (Med. leave) Fiona Jones – Interim Christopher Hilkene – Interim Chief Executive Officer Directors Richard Carlson – Director, Energy Exchange Melissa DeYoung, PMP – Project Manager (Mat. leave) Christopher Hilkene Mariana Eret – Policy Analyst Jennifer Hooper Sid Markowski, CPA, CA – Finance Manager Steve McCauley Derek May – Project Manager Pierre Millette Steve McCauley – Senior Director, Policy Sean Morley – Vice-Chair Tatiana Slobodcicov, CFRE – Annual Giving Manager Sandra Odendahl Stephanie Thorson – Director, Human Health John Roberts Fern Tran – Office Manager Katie Ungard – Project Manager INTERNS 2017–2018 Sabrina Bertsch – Media and Communications Kevin Marrs – Research & Project Assistant Hazar Najjar – Research & Project Assistant Chris Pereira – Research & Project Assistant 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT POLLUTION PROBE 5 Statement from the Interim CEO One thing I have learned about Pollution Probe is that it is resilient. It has faced numerous challenges over its 49 years and it has always bounced back stronger. The 2017/2018 year is no exception. Having joined Pollution Probe with ambitious plans for the organization, our new CEO Ingrid Thompson unfortunately contracted Lyme Disease. One of the things I am most proud of is how staff and the board have rallied around Ingrid to make sure she gets the support she needs. Pollution Probe is not just an organization that espouses values, we live them. We wish Ingrid a speedy recovery and look forward to having her back providing the leadership, creativity and enthusiasm we have come to admire. Despite this setback, Pollution Probe had a very productive year. Our transportation program has been expanding its work to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the uptake of electric and hydrogen vehicles while also advancing work on low carbon fuels. It has also seen us working with federal and provincial governments, the automotive sector, leading academics and other environmental organizations. Pollution Probe is recognized as a national leader and is highly sought after for its work on sustainable transportation. Our Energy Exchange program continues to advance energy literacy for a low carbon economy and we are launching an exciting new initiative called Energy Ambassadors. This innovative, capacity-building program works with communities across the country to educate them on energy from a systems perspective, so that citizens can more effectively participate in energy decision-making in their communities. This year, Pollution Probe also strengthened our commitment to promoting clean water, particularly in the Great Lakes. Pollution Probe has undertaken the most extensive meta-study on pharmaceutical pollution in the Great Lakes in over a decade. The study examines the sources, pathways and impacts of pharmaceuticals in the Great Lakes as well as actions that can be taken to address the issue. The study proposes a path forward and makes key recommendations to both the federal and Ontario governments. Pollution Probe is also putting the spotlight on plastics in our freshwater and the Great Lakes. Many challenges are ahead as we address clean air, clean water and climate change. Pollution Probe is a great organization and well positioned to work with our partners to create the solutions for a healthy environment. Christopher Hilkene, Interim Chief Executive Officer 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT POLLUTION PROBE 6 Project Highlights ENERGY Audience Segmentation and Strategic Communications Energy Exchange advanced understanding about communication best practices for energy information in Canada by conducting research that identified relevant priority audiences for energy information and described their key characteristics, information needs and geographic distribution. Demographics, media preferences, attitudes and energy behaviour were identified for select target groups. This information allows for more effective educational messaging and communication to these groups on energy. This work informed recommendations for the best strategies, communication vehicles and messaging to engage priority audiences with energy information. Influencer Webinar Series Energy Exchange engaged stakeholders and citizens across Canada in discussions on energy issues by conducting three influencer webinars. These webinars facilitated important conversations on a variety of topics, including: the future of transportation in Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy; the context of low- carbon innovation and pilot projects in Canada; and women in the energy sector. The webinars are available at: www.youtube.com/PollutionProbe 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT POLLUTION PROBE 7 Marketing and Communications Energy Exchange generated discussion on energy issues and promoted our educational resources by leveraging Energy Exchange’s established communication channels, including our website, blog series, social media, newsletter and events. The highlights include the summer edition of Energy Exchange magazine, focused on transportation, and our nd flagship Primer on Energy Systems in Canada, 2 edition. The magazine was distributed with the digital issue of Canadian Geographic magazine. In addition, more than 4,000 copies were distributed to key provincial and territorial politicians, energy influencers and decision makers from across Canada, our Community of Practice, Energy Ambassadors Program and energy-engaged Canadians. Energy Exchange’s Energy Ambassadors program is The primer has been used for professional development, enhancing effective community engagement in energy onboarding of new employees, reading material in infrastructure consultations. This innovative universities and for other purposes. community capacity-building program works with communities to educate them on energy in their community and across the country from a systems perspective. The program was developed in consultation with an Advisory Council, a multi-disciplinary stakeholder group of prominent energy sector organizations and leaders in industry, government, regulators, academia and community-level organizations. The first two Energy Ambassadors pilots will be delivered in the Municipality of Wawa, Ontario and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in summer 2018. 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT POLLUTION PROBE 8 TRANSPORTATION Ontario’s Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Advancement Partnership (EHVAP) Pollution Probe was selected by the Government of Ontario to serve as the independent third-party evaluator