Ontario and Quebec Municipalities Ready to Take on Climate Change

OTTAWA, Nov. 25, 2015 /CNW/ - Gary McNamara, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Suzanne Roy, President of the Union of Quebec Municipalities today signed a Climate Change Action Covenant.

It's no secret that extreme weather affects our local economies, the environment and quality of life in our communities. As owners of most of Canada's infrastructure, investing in sustainable local projects will help meet provincial emission targets and protect residents and economies from the effects of climate change.

Municipalities have long been climate action champions, showing leadership on the local level by regularly investing in green infrastructure, including transit systems, renewable energy projects, efficient municipal buildings, robust stormwater infrastructure, waste diversion, and more.

"This historic agreement signals that AMO and UQM are going to combine our efforts as we look for solutions to the climate change problem," said Gary McNamara, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. "We want to signal that municipalities in Canada's most populous provinces are willing partners in the fight against climate change."

"The UQM is proud to sign a long-term partnership to promote the essential role of municipalities in the fight against climate change. We only have one planet, and as the level of government closest to the people, it is essential that municipalities act locally for the well-being of future generations," said Suzanne Roy, President of the Union of Quebec Municipalities.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments. AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada's political system.

Since its founding in 1919, the UQM has represented municipalities of every size and in every region of Quebec. The UQM mission is to provide provincial leadership for effective, autonomous local governments and uphold the fundamental role of those elected to municipal office. UQM members represent over 80% of the population and land area of Quebec and are grouped into affinity caucuses comprising local municipalities, central municipalities, regional cities, major cities and Montreal municipalities.

SOURCE Association of Municipalities of Ontario

Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact, 416-729-5425, [email protected]; Follow AMO on Twitter, @AMOPolicy; Patrick Lemieux, UQM Media Contact, 438-827-4560, [email protected]; Follow UQM on Twitter: @UMQuebec