New McNab/Braeside Township Office targets net-zero-energy consumption, helping protect the environment

MCNAB/BRAESIDE, ON, June 17, 2019 /CNW/ - Investing in green infrastructure helps communities reduce their carbon footprint and increase their resilience to climate change. It also helps safeguard public health, protect the environment and create a clean-growth economy.

The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development; and Joanne Vanderheyden, Second Vice-President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), today announced over $2.7 million in grants and loans through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to support green initiatives in McNab/Braeside towards the construction of the new township office.

The new township office will optimize energy performance through improved building construction, and design considerations such as water usage, natural light and passive solar heating. The new building could generate annual energy savings of up to 127,208 kilowatt hours, a 67% reduction in energy consumption. This reduction in energy use combined with the renewable energy produced by the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system would make this a net-zero building. The new building, expected to be completed during the summer of 2019, will also improve the overall quality and efficiency of municipal services by creating a more accessible and functional space and improving air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

The project aligns with McNab/Braeside's sustainability plans and policies, which call for the township to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Through green infrastructure, the community is helping protect the environment, gathering and sharing important lessons to maximize municipal resources, and improving the lives of citizens.

The Green Municipal Fund^TM is funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by FCM.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities are working together to support green infrastructure projects that are building healthier and cleaner communities now and for future generations. The new McNab/Braeside Township office will help reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, lowering energy costs and tangibly improving the quality of life for the residents who live here."

The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development

"Investing in green infrastructure saves money, creates jobs and reduces pollution. Our government will continue to work with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that are contributing to Canada's clean energy future."

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

"Our local governments are on the front lines of climate change. That means local action is critical. Municipalities of all sizes are modelling green solutions that can be replicated and scaled up across the country for deep national impact. Like planning to achieve net-zero-energy consumption in the new township office and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is what today's announcement is all about – the federal government and municipal governments working together to build better lives for Canadians."

Joanne Vanderheyden, Second Vice-President, FCM

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Backgrounder: Project description

Quick Facts

• The Green Municipal Fund^TM (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, a $625 million program, municipalities share lessons learned and successful new models for advancing sustainability in communities of all sizes in all regions across Canada.
• Since 2000, GMF has financed more than 1,250 municipal sustainability initiatives, helping to build better lives for millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. GMF projects have cut 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions—the equivalent of taking 571,000 cars off the road.
• Budget 2019 proposes $950 million to GMF to increase energy efficiency in the built environment.
• Budget 2019 builds on the Investing in Canada Plan, under which the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in community infrastructure across the country.
• $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Associated links

Green Municipal Fund: https://fcm.ca/home/programs/green-municipal-fund/about-gmf.htm

FCM Funding: https://fcm.ca/en/funding

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

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Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Emilie Simard, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development, 613-864-7690, [email protected]; FCM Media Relations, Tel: [phone], [email protected]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, Tel: [phone], Toll Free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

www.infrastructure.gc.ca