As I complete my current term as chair of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association I look back on some of our members’ contributions to the Hamilton community.

HIEA continues to remain a strong, dedicated group of companies who work closely with their neighbours, community initiatives and not-for-profit environmental sector groups, as well as local representatives from the City and the Ministry of the Environment. This dedication to the community was illustrated early this year as Columbian Chemicals Canada invited their neighbours to join in celebrating their 50th anniversary of doing business in Hamilton. This is only one example of the long standing history of our member companies.
 
2011 proved to be both a busy and successful one as HIEA member companies continue to participate in, and support, a number of local environmental initiatives including: Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC), Children’s Water Festival, Hamilton Burlington Earth Day Eco-Festival, Hamilton Conservation Authority - Grow Green Program, Hamilton Naturalists’ Club - ECO Art Program, and the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Outdoor Education Program.

Besides supporting local initiatives HIEA member companies continue to develop and improve their own facilities. 2011 was no exception as many members undertook or completed major initiatives that will have a positive and lasting impact on the Hamilton community. Some of these projects are highlighted in  the focus on our members… section. Here you will learn more about the $25 million waste water treatment plant that is being constructed at U. S. Steel Canada’s Hamilton Works, the $20 million relocation project at Lafarge Canada Inc., the completion of ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s 3-phase, $7.5 million upgrade to its Coke Plant Waste Water Treatment Plant and the installation of Ruetgers Canada’s new $4 million wastewater treatment system.

These and many other improvements over the years have had a very favourable impact on the local air quality – significantly reducing dust, diesel and other air emissions, releases to water and emissions of greenhouse gases. HIEA members continue to report their aggregate environmental  
performance for key parameters in their annual survey.

The 2010 Environmental Survey shows a continuing  improvement trend for the years since 1997. This year’s results are a concrete example of the success that HIEA member companies are achieving in improving the environment in the Hamilton community.  These improvements are also being noted in third-party studies including Clean Air Hamilton’s Air Quality Progress report, Denis Corr’s Mobile Monitoring studies and the Senes Consulting Hamilton Air Quality and Health Impacts Study presented at the 2012 Clean Air Hamilton Upwind/Downwind conference.

HIEA’s survey is presented at the association’s Annual General Meeting and to the Community Advisory Panel.  It is also available to the public both in print and on the association’s website www.hiea.org.

The Community Advisory Panel (CAP) continues to provide opportunities for representatives from local neighbourhood associations, community advocacy groups and other interested citizens to exchange information and discuss issues of concern to the community with industry. Through this ongoing dialogue, CAP helps to set the directions and priorities for HIEA’s activities and individual member companies’ programs.

Our members are actively making efforts to increase our corporate membership and Community Advisory Panel participation, bringing more local industries and community members to the table. As a local business or a neighbour to industry, your input is integral to HIEA’s continued success and we welcome your involvement. For more information about how to get involved as a member, or with CAP meetings and other current initiatives, visit www.hiea.org or contact us at 905-561-HIEA or hiea_communications@bellnet.ca.

Frank Harrison
Chair of the Board of Directors
Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association