including election of MEVA Executives for 2018
Thursday, October 26, 2017
at
CanadInns Fort Garry
1824 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg
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Special guest: Ross Eadie, Winnipeg City Councillor (Mynarski Ward)
In April, Councillor Russ Wyatt, seconded by Councillor Ross Eadie, moved that Winnipeg City Council should support the installation of electric vehicle DC quick-charge stations in Winnipeg. The reception from Mayor Bowman, other Councillors, and City staff was favourable. In a unanimous decision, the Winnipeg City Council Standing Policy Committee on Innovation approved $197,200 from the Innovation Capital Fund for the Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure Project. Our special guest, Councillor Ross Eadie, talked more about that. To ensure completion of this seminal project, there was still much work to be done. So, obviously, everyone’s attendance at this year’s AGM was more important than ever! MEVA members expressed our very deep appreciation to Councillor Eadie and, through him, to Councillor Wyatt for the great work they’re doing.
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Special guest: Matthew Gale (Northern Bionics)
In the fall of 2016, at an event organized by the North Forge Technology Exchange, MEVA awarded $1000 to Matthew for his plan to invent a myoelectrically-controlled, paediatric prosthetic arm. Matthew, a professional engineer who specializes in 3D metal printing, also volunteers at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children. There, he discovered that extremely high costs prevent many children around the globe from obtaining vitally-needed prosthetics. That prompted him to develop a more affordable, 3D-printed prosthetic arm, which could open and close. Matthew told us how, if he is successful, his invention could improve the lives of millions of children. Keep up the great work Matt!
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Special guest: Tom Tessier (President of Solara Remote Data Delivery Inc.)
(Photo by PHIL HOSSACK, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
Created by MEVA member Tom Tessier, the Solara Field Tracker is the world’s most reliable, hand-held, emergency-communications device. In addition to saving lives, this device and the services Tom’s company provides are crucially important tools for renowned environmental organizations, such as the Centre for Earth Observations Sciences, and industry-leading companies like SpaceX (founded by Elon Musk.) This unpretentious Winnipegger told us a little about his invention and what inspired him to develop it. Also, we got an inkling as to what we can expect next from his fertile imagination.
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Special guests: Will and Bev Eert
Bev and Will Eert moved to Manitoba from Vancouver Island in the summer of 2010. Bev had run a successful design/build construction company, specializing in low energy timber frame homes. Will had retired after working for 30 years as a Power Engineer in B.C.’s largest industrial steam plant. Now, Bev is the Manitoba representative for the Federal Council of the Green Party of Canada. Will is a director of the Manitoba Sustainable Energy Association (ManSEA). His hobby is building advanced middleware solar controls.
Thanks to the Manitoba Hydro Solar Energy Program, many Manitobans have started to generate their electricity from the sun. But the story of these two intrepid innovators is even more compelling, because they have gone solar without any assistance! Bev and Will told us how they and their two dogs live totally off-the-grid, in their owner-designed/owner-built home, in southwestern Manitoba’s Assiniboine Valley.
As many of us know, the fully-electric Chevy Bolt was chosen as MotorTrend magazine’s Car of The Year. Recently, Will and Bev purchased the first Chevy Bolt retailed in Manitoba. So, we asked them how they charge their EV. Their answer, of course, with energy from the sun!
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The Members of the Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association are very grateful to all our special guests for braving a dangerous snow storm to be able to make their presentations at the MEVA AGM and Dinner 2018. We were inspired, entertained and learned a lot. We wish them continued success, and look forward to hearing from of them, again!
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