The City of Toronto and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities successfully bid for the 2009 World Green Roof Congress

    TORONTO, May 31 /CNW/ - "Green Roofs for Healthy Cities," the North
American green roof industry association and the City of Toronto are pleased
to announce that they will be hosting the 2009 World Green Roof Congress.
    The Congress will bring more than 1,000 delegates to Toronto from around
the world to discuss the latest research, policy and technical advances in the
rapidly growing green roof industry. The World Green Roof Congress is
organized through the World Green Roof Infrastructure Network, an
international organization made up of the leaders of national green roof
industry associations from around the world.
    "I'm extremely happy the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has chosen
Toronto for its 2009 Congress," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. "This is a
heartening endorsement of our policies and practices, and an acknowledgment
that Toronto truly is a global leader in the fight against climate change."
    "This is a tremendous opportunity for Toronto to showcase its progress on
sustainable communities and demonstrate significant progress in developing the
green roof industry in North America," said Steven Peck, President of Green
Roofs for Healthy Cities and co-host of the event. "Green roofs have really
captured people's attention as a beautiful way to help fight climate change
and save money. Green roofs deliver more public and private benefits than any
other green building technology."
    In 2006, The City of Toronto passed "Making Green Roofs Happen," a
comprehensive report on policies and programs that will advance the use of
green roof technology among City buildings and in the private sector.
    Green roof infrastructure involves the use of technologies that
incorporate drainage/filtering systems, quality waterproofing,
root-repellancy, engineered growing media and plants. The benefits of green
(vegetative) roofs include a reduction in storm water run-off, better heat and
sound insulation, energy savings, improved air quality and reduction in the
urban heat island. Other benefits include increased park space, improved
aesthetics, community gardening and habitat restoration.

    Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home
to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine
of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America.
In the past three years Toronto has won more than 50 awards for quality and
innovation in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to
prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.Visit our website at www.toronto.ca

For further information: Media contacts: Steven Peck, President, Green
Roofs for Healthy Cities, [e-mail], [phone]; Stuart Green,
Office of Mayor Miller, [phone], [e-mail]