Ottawa, May 16, 2019-Canadians live in cleaner, healthier and safer communities when municipalities use innovative ways to reduce pollution, improve energy efficiency and find new uses for their public infrastructure.
That's why the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced funding for 125 new initiatives in communities across Canada through FCM's Green Municipal Fund (GMF), Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) and Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP).
The announcement was made by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Vicki-May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
The projects announced today demonstrate the work being done in municipalities large and small. Examples include:
As part of the broader Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre deep-energy project, the City of Toronto in Ontario, will use funding from GMF to implement a closed-loop, lake-based, geo-exchange system pilot. The City anticipates that this project will generate reduction in energy use for the building of 67% and the reduction in associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 78%.
The Resort Municipality of Whistler in British Columbia will use a MCIP climate change staff grant to staff a position responsible for implementing initiatives that will produce a lasting improvement in municipal GHG emissions reduction.
The Municipality of Stoke in Quebec is creating a municipal asset management plan with funding from MAMP to enable the municipality to better plan and anticipate the maintenance, repair, upgrading and replacement of municipal equipment and infrastructure.
"All Canadians should benefit from modern, green and resilient infrastructure that will help make their home a better place to live for years to come. That's why we are investing in municipalities that take action to reduce pollution, protect their communities from the impacts of climate change and improve the way they manage their existing infrastructure assets. These investments will result in safer, cleaner and healthier communities that give all Canadians more opportunities to thrive."
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Green infrastructure investments help grow Canada's economy, create jobs and achieve our climate goals. Our government is supporting projects like the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre in order to improve energy efficiency for communities and help reduce pollution."
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources
"Municipalities are the order of government closest to people's lives. That means local action is critical. And we're seeing it. The projects announced today show that municipalities of all sizes are modelling local green solutions that can be replicated and scaled up across the country for deep national impact. This is what today's announcement is all about - orders of government working together to build better lives for Canadians."
Vicki-May Hamm, FCM President
Quick facts
-
The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announce support for 125 new initiatives in communities across Canada amounting to just over $9.7 million.
-
The Green Municipal FundTM (GMF) supports initiatives that advance innovative solutions to environmental challenges. These projects improve air, water and land quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generate economic and social benefits to local communities. Through GMF, municipalities share lessons learned and successful new models for advancing sustainability in communities of all sizes in all regions across Canada. GMF is a $625 million program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. Budget 2019 proposes $950 million to increase energy efficiency in the built environment.
-
The Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) helps municipalities and partner organizations by providing funding, training and information sharing. It is designed to encourage Canadian municipalities to better prepare for and adapt to the new realities of climate change as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. MCIP is a five-year $75-million program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.
-
The Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP) is designed to help Canadian municipalities strengthen infrastructure investment decisions based on sound asset management practices. The program provides asset management training, funding and information sharing to enable municipalities to access the data needed to plan effectively. MAMP is a five-year, $50-million program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. Budget 2019 proposes $60 million to continue helping small communities to get skills training on how to inventory, grow and maintain infrastructure assets.
