Ottawa — Investing in innovative municipal infrastructure projects contributes to a clean growth economy and strengthens the middle class by ensuring communities are healthy and sustainable places to live.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Vicki-May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced over $4.5 million in funding for 109 new initiatives in communities across Canada through three programs: the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP), and the Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP).
The Government of Canada believes that local leaders know best what their communities need and is committed to working with them to strengthen their infrastructure. Municipalities are implementing some of Canada’s most advanced green solutions, reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and supporting local priorities such as improving public transit, saving energy and improving waste management.
The projects announced demonstrate the work being done in municipalities large and small. Examples include:
- The City of Moncton in New Brunswick will use funding from GMF to replace an oil-fired boiler with a biomass boiler as part of a pilot project to test a low-carbon district energy system at its municipal operations centre. Operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions reductions will be tracked over the 18-month period with the objective of lowering their carbon footprint and increasing local energy resilience.
- The Quebec municipalities of Beloeil, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Zotique and Varennes are using funding from MCIP to develop climate adaptation plans. Each municipality will adopt a clear, simple, and concrete greening strategy aimed at reducing ambient heat and mitigating the issue of stormwater management. Their plans will also look for the best strategies to mobilize the public, businesses, and industries and engage them in the process.
- The County of Kneehill, Alberta will use funding from MAMP to strengthen its asset management program. By developing new assessment protocols and lifecycle strategies, local planners and decision-makers will be able to produce more accurate forecasting and long-term financial reporting, ultimately strengthening infrastructure investment decisions.
Source : Government of Canada