Green funding supports clean and cost-effective municipal infrastructure in Alberta
News release
Wainwright, Alberta, November 16, 2018—Investing in green infrastructure helps communities reduce their carbon footprint and increase their resilience to climate change. It also helps safeguard public health, protect the environment and create a clean-growth economy.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and Vicki-May Hamm, FCM President announced more than $5.7 million for green infrastructure in the Town of Wainwright. Funding for this project is provided by the Government of Canada through the Green Municipal Fund and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
This investment will go towards a series of wetland system measures to help the Town of Wainwright better manage and treat the storm water being released into the environment. The new infrastructure will improve drainage and divert the majority of the storm water to a new lagoon called the Gold Quarter Pond. This will reduce the flow of storm water into Bushy Head Lake, which already collects effluent from a neighbouring wastewater lagoon, improving the quality of run-off going into Battle River.
This project will combine more efficient operations with a better treatment process to bring residents cleaner waterways and promote sustainable community and economic development.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to support green infrastructure projects that help build healthier cleaner communities. This important project will help the Town of Wainwright reduce its impact on the environment and maintain a high quality of life for residents now and well into the future."
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"We are proud to support green infrastructure projects like the one in the Town of Wainwright that are advancing innovative solutions to environmental challenges while creating good paying jobs. Together, governments of all levels and communities of all sizes are creating a more sustainable energy future for generations to come."
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources
"Today's announcement highlights how municipal leaders understand both the needs on the ground and local solutions that work. They are innovating to build more sustainable, resilient and livable communities. Thanks to our partnership with the Government of Canada, our programs support local solutions with national impact, contributing to infrastructure renewal and our transition to a low-carbon economy."
Vicki-May Hamm, FCM President
Quick facts
The Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a $625-million program to support innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Projects funded under the program improve air, water and land quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generate economic and social benefits for local communities. Through GMF, municipalities share lessons learned and successful new models for advancing sustainability in communities of all sizes across Canada. GMF is delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.
Through the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
$26.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
