The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada's Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and FCM President Bill Karsten announced the second phase of the new Community Efficiency Financing initiative funded by the Government of Canada as part of its 950-million investment in the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), delivered by FCM to municipalities on behalf of the federal government.
The $300-million Community Efficiency Financing initiative helps municipalities and their partners implement innovative local financing programs that directly help homeowners cut their greenhouse gas emissions and make their homes more comfortable and affordable while helping keep the local economy moving.
The initiative encourages innovation through a bottom-up approach to local program design, offering applicants the opportunity to study and design programs tailored to local priorities and contexts. These programs for low-rise residential properties may build on approaches such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and utility on-bill financing.
Starting today, municipalities and partners in early stages of program development will be able to access grants for studies intended to support communities through the decision-making process of the program design phase. These grants will help municipalities evaluate approaches for implementing innovative financing programs within the local context.
Quotes
"A home that uses less energy is better for the people who live in it, and it is better for the environment. That is why the Government of Canada is proud to be working with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to help Canadians retrofit their homes to higher energy standards. It is through these investments, made possible through the Green Municipal Fund, that we will help build green, healthy, and more resilient communities where Canadian families can thrive."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"The government is helping Canadians save money on their energy bills by making their homes more efficient and comfortable. Working with the FCM, we are exploring new ways for Canadians to make energy-efficient choices that support local economies and contribute to Canada's climate goals."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources
"Municipalities play an important role in protecting the environment. Heating and cooling buildings accounts for a significant amount of Canada's emissions, which is why initiatives such as this one are so important. Community Efficiency Financing creates jobs, saves Canadians money, and reduces emissions-helping us on our path to meet and exceed our climate targets under the Paris Agreement."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"Canadians want new ways to make their homes energy efficient and affordable. Through this new initiative, FCM's Green Municipal Fund is enabling local action that can help achieve Canada's climate change goals. For 20 years, GMF has helped municipalities switch to innovative sustainable practices faster. GMF has the frontline expertise to empower us to get results where people need it most. That is why delivering on program objectives with our federal partners helps municipalities build better lives for Canadians."
Bill Karsten, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Quick facts
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Through its unique mix of training, resources and funding, the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) builds communities' capacity to design and implement sustainability initiatives.
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Since 2000, GMF has helped bring over 1,300 projects to life-making life better for millions of Canadians.
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GMF-funded projects have cut 2.6 million tonnes of GHG emissions-the equivalent of taking 594,000 cars off the road. GMF supports local innovation that can be replicated and scaled up across the country to tackle Canada's climate challenges.
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GMF has created over 10,700 jobs across the country.
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GMF is a $1 billion program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.
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GMF was endowed with an additional $950 million federal investment in the 2019 federal budget to scale up its mission to drive cost-saving energy-efficiency across Canada and deliver results to Canadians.
