Ministry of the Environment

October 7, 1999
 

To:	Toronto Hoof and Cycle Courier Coalition and the
	International Federation of Bike Messenger Associations

 

Thank you for your letter of September 18, 1999 informing me about your Messenger Appreciation Day activities.

The Ministry of the Environment and I are happy to join the City and people of Toronto in celebrating Toronto's third annual Messenger Appreciation Day.

In the course of making more than a million deliveries a year, Toronto's 500 couriers are helping business and industry run smoothly and doing so without adding the slightest trace of pollution to our air. And your environment-friendly service is keeping 2,500 cars a day off the city's streets. That in itself is a significant contribution to reducing smog levels that can be so damaging to our environment and our health.

Even more important is the example you set for others. Every courier on the streets is visible encouragement for city residents to bicycle to work, to shop or to school. You are showing us all the better, faster and fitter way to get about town.

Toronto's third annual Messenger Appreciation Day not only recognizes the efforts of messengers, but also promotes public education and awareness of environmental issues. I hope the celebration of this day gets the attention it deserves and that your service gets the appreciation that you deserve.

Congratulations to all of you for making Messenger Appreciation Day a reality, for your hard work, and for the example each of you sets.
 

Yours very truly,
 
 

Tony Clement
Minister