Sherri-Ann Rutherford: What Sustainability Looks Like in Our own Backyard

Two places stood out to me today as part of Leadership Winnipeg: the RBC Convention Centre and The Forks Market.

I found myself reflecting on how much our city has quietly evolved.

Not in big, flashy ways, but in intentional, meaningful ones.

You see it in the details.

In the way spaces are being designed, the vendors being supported, and the choices organizations are making behind the scenes to do better; not just environmentally, but socially too.

Sustainability in Action: How Winnipeg Spaces Are Giving Back to Community

We often think of convention centres as places where large events happen. But what struck me about RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg is what’s happening behind the scenes and how intentional it all feels.

Yes, they’ve made significant environmental investments achieving LEED® Silver certification reflects a strong commitment to energy efficiency, water conservation, and improved air quality. Initiatives like energy-efficient lighting, a hybrid heating system that adjusts in real time, and the elimination of single-use plastic water bottles showcase a focus on reducing environmental impact in practical ways.

But what really stayed with me is how their sustainability efforts extend beyond the building itself.

They are:

• Sourcing food locally, reducing environmental impact while supporting Manitoba producers.
• Redirecting surplus food to organizations through partnerships like Second Harvest to support those facing food insecurity.
• Working with local partners on composting and recycling initiatives to reduce waste

And then there’s the human side of it.

Through their community initiatives; things like Habitat for Humanity builds, community clean-ups, and blood drives, the organization shows up in ways that go far beyond hosting events.

Equally important is its focus on reconciliation and inclusion. Located on Treaty 1 Territory, the Centre actively supports the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord, incorporates Indigenous art into its spaces, and fosters partnerships with local Indigenous organizations.

Together, they’ve made a visible commitment to truth and reconciliation, recognizing the land they’re on and actively building relationships with Indigenous communities.  These efforts demonstrate that sustainability is not just operational – it’s relational. It’s about how an organization shows up for its community.

It’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t just about reducing impact, it’s about contributing to something larger.

The Forks Market: A Shared Space Rooted in Sustainability and Inclusion

Then there’s The Forks Market – a place many of us have spent time at over the years without necessarily realizing how intentional it has become.

This isn’t just a market or gathering spot. It’s a space that has been bringing people together for thousands of years and today, that purpose is still at the center of everything it does.

What I appreciate most is how sustainability here feels deeply connected to people.

The Forks Market has set a bold goal with its “Target Zero” vision working towards zero waste, zero water waste, and zero carbon emissions.  And they’re already taking real steps, like reducing landfill waste and removing most single-use plastics from the market.

The Forks also continues to invest in community amenities—public art, recreational spaces, festivals, and seasonal attractions—all of which make it a vibrant, living part of the city.

But what makes this space special isn’t just environmental efforts.

It’s the way they:

• Prioritize local vendors and small businesses, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and artisans to thrive.
• Reinvest revenue back into the space, ensuring it continues to evolve and serve the community by providing new green spaces and fruit orchards to allow people to come and go and appreciate the space.
• Design spaces where people can gather freely whether for events, connection, or simply to exist.  Everyone can explore the walking paths and parks throughout the grounds.

There’s also something deeply meaningful about how The Forks Market continues to honour its history and create space for Indigenous presence, ceremony, and culture.

It doesn’t just welcome people; it was built for them.

Why This Matters

What connects both of these places is something simple, but powerful:

A commitment to local.

Local food.
Local businesses.
Local partnerships.
Local impact.

And when you step back, you realize that sustainability isn’t just about carbon footprints or waste diversion; it’s about the choices we make that support the people and communities around us.

This “shop local, buy local, give local” mindset does more than reduce environmental impact; it creates a ripple effect.

A Final Reflection

Walking through these spaces, it’s clear that sustainability in Winnipeg isn’t just a strategy; it’s becoming part of our identity.

It’s in how we support each other.

How we design spaces.

How we think about the impact we’re leaving behind.

And maybe that’s what stood out to me most for me.

The work happening at the RBC Convention Centre and The Forks Market isn’t loud but it’s meaningful, intentional, and deeply rooted in community.

And that’s the kind of sustainability that lasts.