The Conference on Canadian Stewardship has brought together hundred delegates representing industry, government and stewardship programs from across North America and Europe. The two previous conference events were held in Toronto, Canada in October 2005 and in Vancouver, British Columbia in September 2007. This third bi-annual conference will be in Montreal, Quebec in October 2009.

These industry-led events have focused on themes that are essential to the creation and operation of economically efficient stewardship programs in Canada. Such topics as governance of stewardship programs, how to measure program performance, and how programs can successfully evolve to create more effective solutions have been examined. Conference delegates have heard the views of a leading opinion pollsters, benefited from insights from consumer products company CEO’s, listened to Association Executives, Senior industry experts, Deputy Ministers and Ministers of the Environment. Spirited discussions have dealt with serious issues that face consumer product companies in Canada, such as the cost of programs, as they strive to meet their obligations under producer responsibility legislation.

In the past 3 years, the stewardship landscape in Canada has changed substantially. Electronics programs are now underway in Nova Scotia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. In the Atlantic Provinces, legislation in Prince Edward Island has brought one-way beverage packaging under a deposit-return system, while in New Brunswick a new paint program has been announced. Ontario’s programs continue to evolve, as do those in Quebec with more consumer products coming under legislated producer responsibility requirements every year. Ontario has launched a major municipal special waste program to handle a myriad of household special wastes. Quebec’s - Eco Enterprise program for packaging and printed materials in now well underway. In the western Provinces, Manitoba is proceeding with a packaging and printed paper program, which Saskatchewan is closely monitoring and is also considering a future regulation for packaging and printed paper. In Alberta, milk containers will be managed in a legislated program, a first in Canada. And in British Columbia, the government has added mercury containing devices and fluorescent bulbs to their stewardship laws, while releasing plans for expanding it electronics stewardship programs. A lot is happening.

The next Conference on Canadian Stewardship will convene in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on October 6th – October 7th, 2009. The local host of the event is Recyc Quebec, which will assure visitors to their Province that they will enjoy a stimulating program and a wonderful visit to Montreal. The event will be held in the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, with a welcoming reception planned for evening of October 5th.

The theme for this conference is “Sustainable Stewardship”. Speakers and delegates will discuss and examine the current state of stewardship programs and how they can become sustainable in all economic circumstances. More details about the event appear on this website. Consider joining us in Montreal in October 2009...
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