Municipality of Argyle receives support for green and cost-effective municipal building through the Green Municipal Fund
News release
Tusket, Nova Scotia, November 15, 2018—Investing in green infrastructure helps communities reduce their carbon footprint and increase their resilience against climate change. It also helps safeguard public health, protect the environment and create a clean-growth economy.
Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and Bill Karsten, Federation of Canadian Municipalities First Vice-President and Councillor for Halifax Regional Municipality, today announced more than $3.4 million in grants and loans through the Green Municipal Fund to improve green infrastructure in the Municipality of Argyle.
This investment will allow Argyle to build a new, fully accessible and net-zero-energy municipal administrative building that will only use as much energy as it creates, to better serve the region. The facility will also include better insulation and air tightness, a heating and cooling geothermal system, low-flow taps and ultra-low-flush toilets, and solar panels to supply building electricity. Furthermore, the new building will have increased accessibility with a larger parking lot, wheelchair accessible entrances, and more spacious rooms and meeting spaces.
Through investments in green infrastructure, the Municipality of Argyle will be able to maximize municipal resources to improve the lives of its citizens, while limiting its impact on the local environment.
The Green Municipal Fund is funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to support green infrastructure projects that will build healthier, cleaner communities now and for future generations. This innovative municipal building in Argyle is another step towards improving the energy efficiency of municipal infrastructure in our communities, reducing our carbon footprint, and creating better lives for Canadians."
Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"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."
Bill Karsten, FCM First Vice-President
"Green infrastructure investments help grow the economy, create jobs and enable Canada to achieve its climate change goals. The Government of Canada is proud to support initiatives like the District of Argyle project that will help transform Canada's buildings to be more energy-efficient – reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy bills."
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources
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.
