With the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) currently under review (consultation ends 6 June 2025 to the proposed mostly administrative updates), municipalities have a powerful and timely opportunity to reframe compliance as a strategic driver of Sustainability. Much like other evolving frameworks, such as the revised Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act (RRCEA) and the Responsible Distribution Code, the DWQMS is due for modernization—and Sustainability integration is the logical next step.

The Missed Opportunity: DWQMS as a Springboard to Sustainability

Many organizations see DWQMS strictly as a compliance framework—robust, yes, but limited to regulatory boxes to check.

To meet future challenges, you’ll need a process in place for sustainability management.This is why thousands of corporations like H&M, IKEA, Unilever…

Each year on Earth Day, April 22, people around the world celebrate while bringing recognition to the current environmental challenges. While there are many options for taking actions to benefit the…

Tavares Group Consulting (TGC) Inc. has been invited to present at the 2019 Canadian Environmental Conference and Tradeshow (CANECT) taking place from May 7 – 9

Because 2018 was such a great year at Tavares Group Consulting (TGC) Inc. and for its StaarsoftTM software, we thought we’d round up some of the highlights.

As we jump into 2019, it’s the perfect time to examine your internal audit needs and review your audit program in order to incorporate ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for auditing management systems.

Tavares Group Consulting had the opportunity to exhibit and attend the 2018 Conservation Conference hosted by Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), which took place on November 13-14th at the Hilton Baltimore.

Tavares Group Consulting was pleased to attend the fifth annual World Ethical Apparel Roundtable (WEAR) in Toronto, Ontario, at the beginning of October. At WEAR, industry innovators, scientists, activists, and researchers exchange ideas in order to inspire and motivate best practices, solutions, and local and global leadership within the fashion industry in North America.

Tavares Group Consulting had the opportunity to exhibit at the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) 2018 Professional Development Conference (PDC) on September 16th-19th in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Tavares Group Consulting is pleased to be attending the 2018 Conservation Conference hosted by Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) which takes place November 13-14th at the Hilton Baltimore.

On September 6, Tavares Group Consulting attended Global Compact Network Canada’s SDGs Reporting Training event in Toronto. The workshop connected sustainability professionals to industry leaders and experts who shared recent developments on advancing SDGs. Speakers included the UN Global Compact, Statistics Canada, and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

Tavares Group Consulting is thrilled to participate at the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) 2018 Professional Development Conference (PDC) & Exhibition, which takes place September 16th-19th in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Last month, the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) hosted the 2018 Corporate Responsibility (CR) Summit in Michigan, as part of its mandate to streamline an efficient and responsible supply chain among a spectrum of industries.

Gianluca’s Gift is a non-profit organization that supports local youth initiatives in the Regional Municipality of York. The non-profit began in 2016 as a single softball tournament organized by Gianluca’s friends to raise funds for a local youth program in commemoration of his tragic death. Two years later, the initial idea has developed into something much larger.

Earth Day is an international celebration held annually on April 22. More than one billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year that place environmental issues in the global spotlight.

We are excited to announce that the Sustainability Toolkit has gone digital! In 2016, we partnered with local digital services agency, rtraction, to translate the Toolkit’s process-based approach into a sustainability planning, assessment and reporting software that helps organizations address their material sustainability issues.

Tavares Group Consulting is honoured to participate at the Automotive Industry Action Group’s (AIAG) 2018 Corporate Responsibility (CR) Summit, which takes place April 18 and 19th in Novi, Michigan.

The long awaited, and much anticipated, revisions to Ontario’s Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) were released in early April 2017.

“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

As Canada’s only non-profit fashion industry organization focused on sustainability, Fashion Takes Action (FTA) is leading the way in better industry practices. In a recent interview, FTA’s Executive Director, Kelly Drennan, draws on her extensive first-hand knowledge to share her insights into some key concerns surrounding the social and environmental impacts of the fashion and apparel industry.

Tavares Group Consulting is excited to participate for the third year at the Automotive Industry Action Group’s annual Corporate Responsibility Summit, next week in Novi, Michigan.

On November 1st & 2nd, 2016 Fashion Takes Action hosted the third annual World Ethical Apparel Roundtable (WEAR) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. WEAR is the only sustainable business conference that focuses

In October 2016, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) launched their new GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards). The new GRI Standards…

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re sure to be aware of the upcoming transition deadline of September 14th, 2018 to ISO 14001:2015. Regardless of how well prepared …

It’s been 9 months since the release of ISO 14001:2015 and, as expected, there still exists some common misconceptions and uncertainties among those responsible for implementation.

Building on the success of the 2015 Toolkit research project, Tavares Group Consulting kicks-off a Mitacs-funded study testing the efficacy of the Sustainability Toolkit in managing supplier/customer sustainability requirements with interns from Western University.

Many organizations struggle with the lack of guidance within sustainability implementation. As a result, they often feel frustrated …

Ontario’s mandated Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) was specifically designed and developed for Ontario drinking water systems as a result of …

Sustainability was featured in a number of sessions at last week’s Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention, held in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Nick Betts, from OMAFRA,

As featured in our recent newsletter, December 2015 was a big month for those involved in municipal drinking water systems in Ontario, with amendments to regulations and proposed changes to the DWQMS being announced.

Tavares Group Consulting is excited to attend the upcoming Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) 2015 Conference & Expo …

With the release of ISO DIS 14001:2014 in July of 2014 and the expected release of the finalized version of ISO 14001:2015 in mid/late 2015, organizations currently certified

Tavares Group Consulting is delighted to attend as a speaker at the upcoming Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) 2015 Professional Development Conference in September.

Over the course of the summer, student interns from Western University have been using the Toolkit to gain hands-on experience in sustainability planning and implementation across various sectors.

Tavares Group Consulting’s Sandra Tavares and Kirsi McLandress have recently contributed to the June issue of Public Sector Digest. The article highlights the origins of sustainability in the public sector and a 13-step approach

Tavares Group Consulting is pleased to announce that they have partnered with Mitacs and Western University in a venture that will usher forward the next generation of the Sustainability Toolkit.

Last month, Tavares Group unveiled a prototype of the Sustainability Toolkit Dashboard at the 2015 Fanshawe College Research & Innovation Day (RID).

We are excited to announce that Tavares Group Consulting Inc. has been awarded a contract with The Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) for a safety sustainability project

The business case for sustainability is well documented – but is it as equally well understood and being used as leverage? If so, why are some organizations still having difficultly getting and maintaining buy

Tavares Group was honoured to attend the 2015 Environmental Defence Gala on February 18th in celebration of Environmental Defence’s 30 year anniversary. Since 1984, Environmental Defence has

Sandra Tavares attended the 2015 Sustainable Communities Conference (SCC) held by Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in London, ON. From February 10th till February 12th, the conference

Tavares Group Consulting Inc. is proud to announce the launch of their new website, in celebration of their 10-year anniversary this fall. Sandra Tavares, Principal of Tavares Group, expresses her thoughts

On November 25th, 2014, the Annual Pollution Probe Gala event was held at the Fairmount Royal York Hotel in Toronto. With more than 500 guests in attendance and the support by more sponsors than in

Tavares Group Consulting Inc. is excited to attend and participate in the Automotive Industry Action Group’s (AIAG) upcoming Corporate Responsibility Summit in April. The event provides the opportunity

The first thing to recognize about this combination of previously proposed amendments is that they go way beyond what the titles suggest. For example, the “Part 4” amendment contain numerous

Organizations who certify to management systems will be seeing some big proposed changes over the coming 24 months. Three popular standards, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management

The start of a New Year always offers an opportunity to commit to new goals. This year, why not commit to managing your organization’s “other” requirements more effectively? Unlike legal requirements,

The Tavares Group team was honored to attend the 2013 Annual Pollution Probe Gala Dinner on November 19th 2013, held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The event’s theme

As a consulting firm that specializes in corporate social responsibility, Tavares Group Consulting Inc. strongly believes in contributing to the community, as an important aspect of sustainability.

As the seasons change from fall to winter we are reminded that the New Year is fast approaching. Manufacturing (NAICS codes beginning with 31, 32, and 33) and mineral processing (NAICS code beginning

The Sustainability Toolkit- A Practical Guide to Integration has officially been launched. This innovative tool, developed as a joint venture of Tavares Group Consulting Inc. and Kuzuka Ltd., is now available for use

Tavares Group Consulting Inc. Principal, Sandra Tavares, was recently featured in Eco Canada’s Blog as an EP success story. Click here to read the article.

Tavares Group Consulting Inc. and Kuzuka Ltd. are preparing to launch an innovative new tool that has been developed as a means to address a critical gap in sustainability implementation

On April 24th of this year the world watched as a building in Bangladesh was reduced to rubble and over 1000 garment factory workers were killed. Canada’s largest grocer, Loblaw Companies

Earlier this year, Ontario approved its first Source Water Protection Plan under The Clean Water Act, 2006. The approval of the Lakehead Source Protection Plan is a watershed moment for source water

Sections 14 and 19 of Ontario’s Safe Water Drinking Act, 2002 (SWDA) are set to come into force on 31 December 2012. Section 14 outlines the ability of municipalities to delegate duties related to their drinking

Released only this spring, the new Green Squared standard is North America’s first sustainable product program for tile and tile installation materials. Developed by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA),

As part of the toxics reduction strategy, the Government of Ontario is helping regulated facilities use fewer toxic substances and move to safer alternatives with the Toxics Reduction Act.

The 2012 Ontario Budget could impact your Environmental Programs. Fees for contaminated sites, water taking, ECAs and hazardous waste will increase by approximately $10 million(M).

Eco Canada has featured Tavares Group Consulting Inc.’s Principal, Sandra Tavares as their June profile of the month. Click here to read the article.

Partners Tavares Group Consulting Inc. and Kuzuka Ltd. have been awarded Huron County’s Sustainable Business and Efficiencies Project. Click here to learn more.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the Draft International Standard ISO/DIS 26000: Guidance on Social Responsibility for ballot by its national member organizations in

Minimize your organization’s time spent on employee training. Web-based delivery of information is secure, fast, effective, and can be accessed at anytime via the Internet. It’s easy.

The Ontario GHG Emissions Reporting Regulation was filed on 1 December 2009. The regulation applies to facilities in certain sectors and includes general stationary combustion, if the facility emits 25,000

Find out about new and proposed environmental and health & safety legislation such as strict new greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and reporting requirements coming into effect as early as 2010, including

Tavares Group Consulting establishes strategic alliance with Oxford Group Consulting to provide clients with the full range of sustainability consulting services. Together, the two firms offer the breadth and

Strict new greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and reporting requirements coming into effect as early as 2010 will put Ontario ahead of the curve in the fight against climate change for jurisdictions

The future ISO 26000 social responsibility guidance standard has moved from working to committee draft status. This was one of the resolutions of the 6th plenary meeting of the Working Group (WG)

In partnership with the Ontario government, funding of up to $50,000 has been made available to assist Ontario manufacturers in improving their operations with the goal of being more competitive in the global

The ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Standard, which contains the requirements for environmental management systems is relevant for organizations wishing to operate in an

Between May 17 and June 15, 2007, Tavares Group Consulting conducted an Environmental and Health & Safety (EHS) Training Needs Survey among local businesses and organizations in an effort to assess

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report February 2, 2007 stating the global temperature will probably increase by 1.8-4ºC (3.2-7.2ºF) by the end of the century, though local

Following extensive work during the summer months, the second working draft of ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility has now been prepared, and distributed to

The Ontario government has recently posted a proposed regulation on the Environmental Bill of Rights registry to implement ‘Environmental Penalties’. The “on the spot” fines, imposed by environmental