Canadore College
PA-2: Commitments and Planning

Canadore College’s guiding vision for sustainability is embedded within its strategic framework, guided by five core pillars that ensure alignment with the institution’s overarching goals. These pillars—Student Success, Program and Service Excellence, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Connection to Community, and Sustainability—have been integral to the college's operations since 2010, serving as a filter for all decisions and actions.

In line with this framework, President Burton’s 2021 business plan set a goal for the college to achieve carbon neutrality by 2031. This commitment was bolstered by both the institution’s and student government’s alignment with the SDG Accord, emphasizing a dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more details, you can view the article about the SDG Accord

The college’s sustainability objectives are further detailed in its Strategic Plan for 2026, where the commitment to the SDGs is outlined on page 13. Additionally, the Living Plan, launched in 2022, serves as a framework for advancing sustainability at Canadore and supporting community partners in building a more sustainable future.

Since 2021, Canadore has been working with Ecometrica, an international provider of GHG monitoring systems to complete an information and data collection effort to identify and account for existing scope 1,2, and emerging capture of scope 3 GHG emissions. 

The SDG Accord is an international accord and an opportunity to inspire, celebrate and advance the important role that education plays in practicing and promoting the SDGs. It also represents a firm commitment made to do more to deliver the SDGs to its employees, students, and within the communities they serve. At Canadore, both the institution and student government are united in our commitment to the SDGs.

• 2022 Case Studies
• 2023 Case Studies

Energy Star Reporting:

Building-level energy performance is assessed using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a tool that benchmarks energy use intensity (EUI) and compares it to similar buildings nationwide. The system provides an ENERGY STAR score, helping to identify underperforming areas and set priorities for energy efficiency upgrades. Results guide decision-making on retrofits, operational improvements, and resource allocation, enabling continuous performance monitoring. By leveraging this data-driven approach, Canadore College enhances energy efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports cost-effective, sustainable operations aligned with its conservation goals. This information is provided to Ontario Colleges for benchmarking purposes.

The Ecometrica and SDG Accord reports are the responsiblity of the Project Leader Sustainable Development while the Energy Star reporting is the responsibility of the Senior Director of Infrastructure and Campus Safety. 

Objective: Supporting Social Inclusion Through Intergenerational Collaboration

Plan: Village Collective Impact Plan

Last Updated: December 2023

Accountable Unit: The Village at Canadore College, Project Manager (Micheline Demers)

Details: This plan focuses on reducing social isolation among seniors, particularly Indigenous seniors, through inclusive and intergenerational activities. The plan outlines collaborative efforts with over 87 organizations and the integration of services to create accessible and welcoming spaces. Regular updates and evaluations are part of the framework to ensure alignment with stakeholder needs​.

The Spring infographic can be found here

Canadore has committed to carbon neutral by 2031 and has implemented a number of projects that directly target sustainable operations:

• We have converted a natural gas boiler to electric at our Aviation campus and are in the process of lauching a Cogeneration plant at our Commerce Court Campus. 
• Since 2021, we have been working with Ecometrica, an international provider of GHG monitoring systems to complete an information and data collection effort to identify and account for existing scope 1,2, and some scope 3 GHG emissions.
• We have partnered with Honeywell to complete a detailed review of the facility including the HVAC system (air handling units, boilers, chillers, pumps), and to review site conditions to install a geothermal heat pump.

• We have installed 25+ Waste Watcher sorting stations across our North Bay and West Parry Sound campuses. Our streams are designed to align with municipal recycling to help improve efficiency and to reduce the incidence of recyclable materials ending up in landfill. Each station is accompanied by easy to spot signage with quotes to emphasize the importance of sorting.

  These 5 stream stations are divided into the following categories and help to compliment other waste reduction initiatives listed here:

  • Glass
  • Metal and Plastic
  • Paper and Cardboard
  • Organics
  • Waste
• Our Harp CX-1 Biodigester  is located at our College Drive Campus. This accelerated aerobic Bio-digester has the capacity to treat up to 1000 litres per week and can help reduce volume by up to 80% in just 24 hours to create a nutrient rich soil product that can be used for on-campus greening initiatives.
• We have worked with Pela to purchase 10 Lomi units that are strategically placed throughout our office spaces and lounges at our North Bay and Parry Sound campuses.  These composting units divert organic waste from reaching the landfill by producing soil that can be taken home by staff or used for on campus greening initiatives.
• Students from our work study program and from our School of Environmental Studies are provided with the opportunity to take action to protect biodiversity on campus grounds. This is accomplished through routine monitoring and the application of control measures.

• Installation of AI sorting in cafeterias through OSCAR by Intuitive AI.

• Our "Recycling the Unrecyclable" project recycles the following streams which would normally end up in landfill: snack wrappers, PPE, masks, stationary, and cigarette butts. 

• We are working with Sic Sox Circular, an Indigenous start-up company seeking to divert Northern Ontario’s textile waste in several innovative ways. Through this project, gently used items are resold through their app, while anything that cannot be reused is broken down and shredded into a cellulose fibre to be converted into an industry-approved insulation product for use in homes.

  Sic Sox has also pledged to donate 10% of its profits to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, along with gender equality programs.

  Additional initiatives can be found here 

  We have also created a resources page which can be found here

  These initiatives are the responsiblity of the Living Sustainability Centre at Canadore in collaboration with the faclities department. 

   

The 2022-2023 action plan can be found here

This is the responsibility of Organizational Development and Talent Management (Human Resources) and the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Specialist. 

Canadore has conducted a baseline assessment to identify vulnerabilities and resilience activities related to climate change on campus and in the local community. This is exemplified through initiatives such as the Ecometrica baseline GHG Audit, which monitors scope 1, 2, and some scope 3 emissions. This audit provides a foundational understanding of the college’s carbon footprint and informs strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, Canadore’s forest management project on 460 acres of land at the College Drive Campus plays a key role in addressing climate resilience by measuring carbon sequestration and protecting forest health. It accompanied by a 10-year forest management plan to protect its health. 

The institution also engages in educational projects and practical solutions, such as the HARP CX1 biodigester, which diverts organic waste from landfills and supports carbon reduction goals. Through collaborations with students, staff, and local organizations, these assessments and activities contribute to building climate resilience both on campus and in the surrounding community.

By returning 100% of parking lot and roof top run off to landscape, water is present for evaporation and its subsequent cooling effect on the landscape.

This is a shared responsibility amongst the Living Sustainability Centre and the Facilities and Infrastructure team.  

The Sustainable Development Task Force at Canadore College drives climate resilience by embedding sustainability across the institution. It includes students, staff, faculty, and leadership to ensure broad representation.

Contributions Include: 

• Carbon Neutrality: Supports Canadore’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2031 through GHG reduction and renewable energy adoption.
• Community Engagement: Raises awareness and collaborates with local and Indigenous communities on food security and carbon reduction solutions. 
• Innovative Solutions: Leads applied research and living labs for climate-resilient technologies like hydroponic solar supported grow pods.
• Campus Greening: Promotes carbon sequestration through tree planting and preserving biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. 

This also included participation in The Community of Practice(COP), organized by the Nipissing and Parry Sound Health Unit, aims to bring together local leaders and parties interested in health, sustainability, and policy-making to address climate change and health within our region.

The themes that are being focused on include:

• Community Collaboration
• Education/ Awareness/ Buy-in
• Human & Social Health / Emergency Management
• Infrastructure / Built Environment / Land-Use Planning
• Sustainable Systems
• Advocacy / Policy Change

Canadore College has incorporated climate resilience strategies and goals into its Living Plan and 2026 Strategic Plan

Specifically:

1. Carbon Neutrality by 2031: Canadore College has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2031. This includes measuring and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through emerging sustainable technologies​

2. Integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The College has embedded the SDGs into its core operations, education, research, and leadership. This aligns all major efforts with climate action and sustainability​.

3. Operational Strategies: The institution has outlined specific actions to build climate resilience, including:

   • Facility Decarbonization: Incorporating renewable energies like solar, electric, and a cogeneration plant. 
   • Campus Greening: Expanding green spaces, planting trees for carbon sequestration, and protecting greenspaces and waterways​. This includes a full inventory of our 460 acre forest to achieve FSC and SFI certifications along with a 10-year forest management plan. 
   • Waste Diversion and Zero Waste Goals: Aiming for a 90% waste diversion rate by 2031​ with a circular approach employed wherever possible and new waste diversion streams added annually. 

4. Resilience through Community Collaboration and Living Labs: Canadore actively engages with communities and stakeholders, focusing on food security, reducing fossil fuel dependency, and promoting solutions for rural and Indigenous communities through projects like grow pods​.