OTTAWA, Feb. 10, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Raymond Louie, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Acting Mayor of the City of Vancouver, today announced Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grants and loans for 20 communities across Canada. The $31.5 million in GMF funding supports plans, studies, field tests and capital projects to assist in making these communities more sustainable while taking into account environmental, social and economic considerations.
From Canada's first net-zero municipal library, which produces as much energy as it spends, to Halifax's ground-breaking Solar City project, installing solar hot water systems and efficient water fixtures in homes, many of the announced projects assist municipalities in reaching higher standards of air, water and soil quality. They provide a concrete example of how local communities contribute to climate protection.
Minister McKenna highlighted the funding while addressing 400 delegates at FCM's Sustainable Communities Conference, the largest meeting of mayors, councillors, administrators and industry experts focusing on innovative and emerging practices as well as proven solutions in greening municipalities across Canada.
QUOTES
"The Government of Canada is pleased to contribute to the Green Municipal Fund. Innovative projects like the ones supported through this Fund provide concrete examples of how our cities and communities contribute to climate protection. These projects benefit the environment and economy, and generate lasting value for citizens and their communities."
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"These Green Municipal Fund projects are prime examples of the collective efforts of government, organizations and municipalities to promote green technology and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are proud to support these initiatives that will help make communities more sustainable and provide a better quality of life for all Canadians."
– The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources
"Congratulations to all the communities that received funding. You stand out as examples of the municipal commitment to make our communities more sustainable. The financing and knowledge provided by FCM's Green Municipal Fund support the development of communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable."
– Raymond Louie, FCM President, Acting Mayor of the City of Vancouver, BC
The Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the Green Municipal Fund™. The Fund supports partnerships and leveraging of both public and private sector funding to reach higher standards of air, water and soil quality, and climate protection.
FCM has been the national voice of municipal governments since 1901. It fosters the development of sustainable communities to improve quality of life by promoting strong, effective, and accountable municipal government.
Related links:
2016 Sustainable Communities Conference
2016 Sustainable Communities Awards
GMF funding opportunities
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Federation of Canadian Municipalities: Maurice Gingues, Media Relations Advisor, Green Municipal Fund, Tel.: 613-907-6399, Fax: 613-244-1515, [email protected], www.fcm.ca/gmf; Natural Resources Canada: Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Tel.: 343-292-6100
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