Pickering, ON, March 22, 2010 – The 5^th Annual Sustainable Pickering Day has been scheduled to take place the same day as Earth Hour to get residents, businesses and community groups turned on about turning off the lights.

On Saturday, March 27, 2010, Sustainable Pickering Day attendees can take the Earth Hour pledge; learn about energy conservation; and take the energy quiz for a chance to win a $250 Pickering Town Centre gift card and other prizes. The actual Earth Hour global event is scheduled to commence later that evening at 8:30 pm.

For those who can't attend, they may register their Earth Hour pledge beforehand at sustainablepickering.com. At 1:00 pm, Councillor Doug Dickerson, City Councillor, Ward 2 and Chair, Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee will announce the number of Pickering residents and groups that have registered to participate in Earth Hour.

"As Chair of the Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee, I am proud that our community has embraced Earth Hour. Since its inception, we have had one of the higher participation rates of all Canadian municipalities,” said Councillor Dickerson. "Moving forward, I encourage our entire community to come out to the 5^th Annual Sustainable Pickering Day, so they can learn how they can become more sustainable in their everyday lives. We need to make energy conservation a year round goal and not just on Earth Hour.”

"We are proud to be a contributing partner in the City of Pickering's sustainability journey," said Allan Arsenault, Manager, Pickering Town Centre. "Pickering Town Centre is a gathering place and hub for the people. As such, it's important for us to take a leadership role in supporting events and initiatives that help make our community stronger.”

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As the gateway city to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. Pickering is an affluent community that is steeped in history, natural beauty and small town charm with all the amenities and services that a big city has to offer. The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment; and offers a wealth of sports, leisure and recreation opportunities to its residents. Pickering has been recognized by Profit magazine as one of the ten best cities in Canada for growth companies and received the 2008 FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Planning Award.