In the fall of 2010, the Smart About Salt Program received the prestigious Educational Achievement Award from the Transportation Association of Canada in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nominees for the award are evaluated on the basis of:

• Contribution made to the education/training of the people involved in the program;
• Degree of innovation in the approach and execution of the program;
• Payoff or benefits achieved; and
• Overall applicability to improved practices, better skills sets and to the Canadian transportation community as a whole.

The Award acknowledges the contribution made by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and its consultant (Ecoplans Limited) in developing a ground breaking program that works with contractors and facility owners to improve salt management. In particular the training and education programs were recognized.

The picture shows the award being accepted by Bob Hodgins (left), past president of Ecoplans Ltd, co-designer of the program and current Executive Director of the Smart About Salt Council; and John Hammer (right), Director of Transportation, Region of Waterloo. The Award was presented by Ray Mantha, Executive Director and Chief Engineer - Ministry of Transportation Ontario.