Socially and Environmentally Responsible Aggregate (SERA) has formed its expert technical panel, which represents municipal, industry, community and environmental interests, to produce a voluntary standard that establishes credible, practical, and measurable requirements for socially and environmentally responsible aggregate extraction in Ontario.
Technical support for the standards development initiative will be provided by BRE-Global and the Rainforest Alliance, both international leaders in third party environmental certification. Dr. Jacqueline Glass, a leading European expert in responsible sourcing in the construction industry, will also provide ongoing advice.
“This announcement, which comes on the heels of Canada Green Building Council President and CEO, Thomas Mueller joining the SERA founding board, reflects the interest in SERA that we have seen provincially and across the country,” says Michael Fenn, chair of SERA’s founding board. “We are thrilled with the strength and diversity of this group. Each representative brings a unique perspective and we are happy they have agreed to work with us on the challenge of developing high but achievable standards for socially and environmentally responsible aggregate extraction in Ontario.”
The expert technical panel will be chaired by Dr. Brenda McCabe, chair of civil engineering at the University of Toronto. Other organizations represented in the group include:
- Township of Zorra
- Mark Dorfman (land use and environmental policy planner)
- Friends of Rural Communities and the Environment (FORCE)
- Gravel Watch Ontario
- Environmental Defence
- The Miller Group
- CONDRAIN Group
- Dufferin Aggregates
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (invited as observer)
Discussions are also underway with Southern Ontario First Nations, municipalities and members of industry on their involvement in this initiative.
