MTE is a Partnership
...of the city of The City of Toronto, Transportation Options (an NGO) and the Federal Government of Canada. MTE works locally and internationally with a broad range of Industry, Government, Community, Labour and Academics to carry out its mission and its projects.
Transportation Options is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable systems of transportation which foster ecological balance, social equity, and economic vitality. The Moving the Economy conference was our third major international conference, following from the Bikes Mean Business conference in 1993, and the Second international Auto-Free Cities Conference in 1992. Moving the Economy is currently Transportation Options' largest project, and the board and staff are committed to this ongoing partnership.
The City of Toronto has a proven track record of implementing New Mobility/sustainable transportation policies and projects. The City has been acclaimed for its transit system, named as the best city for cycling in North America, and rated by Fortune Magazine as number one in North America for quality of life. Key participation in the MTE partnership is through the City's Urban Planning and Development Department (UDS), Transportation Planning Division.
Canada's Federal Government has been working with Moving the Economy as a major partner since 1998, bringing funding support as well as expertise in transportation and economic development.
History
Phase 1: The Conference
Moving the Economy (MTE) began with a major international conference showcasing international success stories in New Mobility/sustainable transportation. Held in Toronto in July 1998 the conference brought a new approach to New Mobility/sustainable transportation by emphasizing economic benefits. The City of Toronto and Transportation Options, along with a wide range of other public and private partners (see list, below) hosted the event, which:
- Showcased over 150 living examples from around the world where New Mobility has created jobs, boosted business, saved money, or revitalized local economies
- Attracted over 540 leaders in business, government, labour, and community from 16 countries
- Introduced and connected a growing network of key players in the New Mobility/sustainable transportation sector
- Set the stage to develop the MTE Sector Development Strategy (now the Four-Point-Plan) at a focused Action Session on the final Sunday of the conference.
The conference proceedings are available in print from Detour Publications and on-line from the MTE On-Line Database and offer a concise overview of each success story that was presented.
The success of the conference could not have been achieved without the generous support of our many sponsors and partners, including:
Bombardier; The British Department of Trade and Industry; The Commonwealth Foundation; The National Round Table for Environment and the Economy; The North American Fund for Environmental Cooperation; The Ontario Ministry of Transportation; Environment Canada; Health Canada; Transport Canada; Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives; The Toronto Atmospheric Fund.
And with support from:
The Canadian Auto Workers Union; The Toronto Board of Trade; The British Consulate General, Toronto; The Canadian Urban Transit Association; The Centre for New Mobility/sustainable transportation; The Community Bicycle Network; The Green Tourism Association; Greenest City; The International Foundation for Rural Transport Development; The Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition; Pollution Probe; The Toronto City Cycling Committee; The Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO); The Toronto Food Policy Council.
MTE Alumni
MTE has been privileged to work with many talented and dedicated people as part of our team over the years.
Beth Jones
Sue Zielinski
Annette Aleandro
Ken Ashdown
Debra Bain
Joanna Beyersbergen
Gail Bornstein
Sarah Climenhaga
Li-Lien Gibbons
Robin Hamilton
Trisha Kaplan
Daniel Kossarin
Gillian Kranias
Kelly Zorzi
Marty Collier
Kevin Kung
Judy Lee
Janet Lo
Craig McKean
Jennifer Morrow
Ron Neville
Christine Sharman
Glenda Stein
Shannon Thompson
Laura von Zittwitz
Robyn Whittaker