Sustainability Advisory Committee

The Sustainability Advisory Committee will work to develop and implement a Sustainability Action Plan and identify opportunities to be good stewards of the environment in the City of Kenora.

Who we are

The members of the Sustainability Advisory Committee include City staff and up to 14 members representing various sectors. Meet the members:

• Ashley Nordlund, energy/utility service sector representative
• Craig Debbo
• Rory McMillan
• Lisa Devlin
• Peter Kirby
• Kim Mowrey
• Stephanie Charles, health care sector representative
• Brie McCardle, LOWDSA representative
• Councillor Lisa Moncrief
• Vacant, local Indigenous communities
• Vacant, local youth representative
• Vacant, education sector representative
• Vacant, local business community representative

Sustainability initiatives

Annual Freecycle Days

The Sustainability Advisory Committee has selected two weekends yearly as Freecycle Days in Kenora. Freecycle Days are the perfect opportunity to clean up your house or garage by giving good used stuff a new home and keeping it out of the landfill.

On Saturday and Sunday of every Victoria Day (May) weekend and Labour Day (September) weekend, mark your used but valuable goods with a “FREE” sign and place items on the curbside, front walk, or back lane over the weekend for others to take for free. Please remove your remaining items from the curbside by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Backyard composter program

The Sustainability Advisory Committee has launched a backyard composting program. As part of the City’s community-wide Sustainability Action Plan, community members expressed that composting is important and should be further explored. 

You will have the opportunity to purchase a backyard composter at a subsidized price of $10 plus HST. There are 100 units available for local residents, limit one per household. Starting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., residents can register online at surveymonkey.com/r/trycomposting. The composters will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, as there is a limit of 100 units available. Priority will be given to City of Kenora residents; however, if units remain, there may be an opportunity for those living in unincorporated areas to participate. 

If you are interested in reserving a backyard composting bin, you must also commit to providing feedback on your experience using the composter to the Sustainability Advisory Committee. The Committee will evaluate the feedback to develop future local composting initiatives. 

Additionally, the Committee will host an Open House on Saturday, April 5, to help residents kick-start their backyard composting journey. During this event, residents will be able to pick up their composter and ask any questions they may have before getting started. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram for announcements.

Terms of Reference 

View the Sustainability Advisory Committee's Terms of Reference.

Meetings

The Sustainability Advisory Committee meets regularly. View the meeting agenda and minutes:

View the past meeting documents for 2024:

View the past meeting documents for 2023:

Volunteer

Contact the Deputy City Clerk for information about committee vacancies and getting involved.