New funding supports better community infrastructure across Canada
Newswire.ca
August 8, 2018
Investing in green infrastructure helps Canada reduce its carbon footprint, creates a clean growth economy and increases our resilience against climate change.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Vicki-May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) today announced over $37 million for 27 community infrastructure projects across the country. The grants will be provided through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program and the Green Municipal Fund, delivered by the FCM and funded by the Government of Canada.
A wide variety of green infrastructure initiatives will improve the lives of Canadians through projects such as electric vehicle charging stations, public building energy retrofits and multi-use path systems.
In Baie Verte, Newfoundland and Labrador, the town will have a new municipal office and multi-purpose space by retrofitting an old high school building using environmentally friendly technologies. The renovated facility will provide new space for community celebrations, indoor sports and recreation activities and trade shows.
Vaughan, Ontario, will use the funds to make road improvements that will reduce the frequency and severity of flooding, as severe weather events are likely to become more common as a result of climate change. Mitigating flood risks provides financial and environmental benefits, improves water quality and safeguards public health and safety.
In Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the city will increase the frequency of its public transit services to better meet the needs of residents who use buses to get to and from school, work, appointments and sports, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Quick facts
- 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 Green Municipal Fund (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.
- 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.
