Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli visits an Ontario EcoSchool

Highlighting student energy conservation at St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School

Today, students at St. Anthony in Port Hope will showcase their energy conservation practices to Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli and Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi.

During the Minister and MPP’s visit, the St. Anthony EcoTeam will conduct a school energy tour alongside local energy provider Veridian Connections. The students will highlight the work they have done to create a school culture of conservation, and contribute to a greener province.

“The leadership of the staff and students of the St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School’s ECO Club demonstrates how our Catholic social teachings can be effectively put into practice,” explains Stephen Egan, Principal, St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School “They are truly self-directed learners who are collaboratively contributing to our school community by promoting stewardship of our environment.”

St. Anthony is in its second year of certification with the Ontario EcoSchools program in the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB). Students lead environmental activities on a daily basis, with different grades taking on different responsibilities. The grade 7/8 Compost and Plastics Crew is one example of the school’s creative division of labour.

St. Anthony is part of a network of 1,745 certified EcoSchools in 53 different school boards across the province working to develop environmental citizenship. The program is an initiative of “Conservation First,” a key principle in Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan: “We know conservation is one of the most cost-effective ways to meet the energy demands of our province. That’s why Ontario has set a long-term conservation savings goal of 30 TWh by 2032 – the equivalent of more than all the power used by the City of Toronto in 2013. Ontario EcoSchools, with the commitment of the communities they serve, is helping Ontario foster a culture of conservation.” Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy