Communities across Canada receive support for infrastructure planning, green innovation, and climate change resiliency initiatives

Press Release

Ottawa, August 7, 2018 —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 $12.1 million in funding for 159 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 today demonstrate the work being done in municipalities large and small. Examples include:

• The City of Beaconsfield, Quebec is using a grant from GMF to study ways to reduce organic waste disposal through smart collecting and incentive-based pricing. The objective is to reduce the amount of organic waste within the waste stream by 50 per cent. The results of this initiative will provide great insight for other municipalities considering a similar program.
• The North Coast Regional District, in collaboration with 31 local governments in British Columbia along the route from Kamloops to Haida Gwaii, are working together to study the feasibility of developing an electric vehicle network of fast charging stations. With funding through MCIP, the study will consider the integration of solar panel canopies, allowing residents and visitors to drive cars powered by sunshine.
• The Town of Iroquois Falls, Ontario is using funding from MAMP to implement innovative mobile sensing technology to gather information on road conditions that will enable them to make more efficient assessments and informed investment decisions on their roadway infrastructure.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in local infrastructure to support municipalities as they plan, build and maintain their infrastructure more strategically. Our investments in green infrastructure will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to a clean growth economy and strengthen the middle class, helping us plan and build the infrastructure of the 21th century. ”

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“We are proud to support the great work being done in municipalities to make Canada a cleaner and healthier place for everyone. A clean energy future starts at the local level, and we are committed to working closely with communities of all sizes to cut pollution, take action on climate change and improve the quality of life for all Canadians.”

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources

“Whether big or small, urban or rural, municipalities are responsible for more than half of Canada’s public infrastructure—critical assets that support our economy and quality of life. Building resilient, sustainable, and livable communities will define our future. Leveraging today’s announcement through FCM’s programs will drive local solutions to Canada’s national challenges.”

Vicki-May Hamm, FCM President

Quick facts

•  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.
• 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 Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP) is designed to help Canadian municipalities strengthen infrastructure investment decisions based on sound asset management practices. The program provides asset management training, funding and information sharing to enable municipalities to access the data needed to plan effectively. MAMP is a five-year, $50-million program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.

Related products

• Backgrounder

Associated links

• Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan (PDF Version)
• Investing in Canada plan project map
• Green Municipal Fund
• Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program
• Municipal Asset Management Program
• FCM Funding

Contacts

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
Brook.Simpson@canada.ca

FCM Media Relations
613-907-6395
media@fcm.ca

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca

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