Mark Anto (Benny Farm)
Friday, January 20, at 11a.m. in Bronfman 423
Mark Anto has been working with community based projects for over 10 years, focusing mainly on youth development, the environment and human rights. Mark has worked with Alternatives, CUSO, the Canadian Human Rights Foundation, as has spent several years in Asia and the Caribbean developing projects for local organizations. He is currently the project manager for the Access Energy initiative, run by Green Energy Benny Farm. He holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London UK, and a Political Science degree from Mcgill.
Benny Farm is located in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood of Montréal. The site totals approximately 18 acres (7.3 ha), and is bordered by Monkland Avenue to the north, Benny Street to the east, and is adjacent to two half-blocks, one next to Sherbrooke Street to the south and the other next to Walkley Street to the west. The site also includes two large blocks divided by Cavendish Boulevard.
Built in 1946 and 1947 in the garden-city style, Benny Farm stands out from the surrounding area because of its size, layout and generous green spaces.
Until February 2004, there were 52 buildings with 6 apartments each on the portion of the site to be redeveloped. The apartments housed mostly veterans, who lived in these apartments until the units no longer served their needs. From 1998 to 2000, Benny Farm tenants were relocated to four new buildings on the southeast portion of the site. CLC is currently redeveloping the remaining 14 acres (5.7 ha) of the rest of the site.
The talk will address the following:
- introduction to the Access Energy project, and EVBF
- where the market is at in general for renewable energy systems – solar, geothermal for homes, coops, multi-unit buildings, or other facilities
- the specific challenge and circumstances for solar hot water in people’s homes in Quebec – also the the grants available, the government and industry strategies to bring these technologies to market
- finally, the results of the project so far, and outlook for the future business opportunities.