The Government of Canada announces funding to retrofit St. Theresa Point School

ST. THERESA POINT FIRST NATION, MB, Dec. 9, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor, and Chief Elvin Flett of St. Theresa Point First Nation, announced more than $1.5 million in federal funding for a solar power project in northern Manitoba that will reduce emissions and leverage renewable energy.

"Indigenous communities are leading the way with clean energy projects right across the country. The St. Theresa Point School solar project here in Manitoba is a perfect example of a locally-led initiative that will make a real difference in reducing emissions. Our Government will continue to work with provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous partners to invest in community infrastructure and build a greener, and more sustainable future for generations to come," said the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.

"On behalf of the Council and all the people of St. Theresa Point First Nation, I am pleased to announce our First Nation's commitment to develop a renewable energy source to alleviate the high energy costs and our total reliance of hydro grid, that at times is unstable due to environment realities. I want to thank Canada and other partners that have provided the expertise to support our First Nation vision for harnessing the natural energy resource as part of our effort to respond to climate change. I want to thank our people for their unwavering support to pursue the project, in spite of its daunting task," said Chief Elvin Flett of St. Theresa Point First Nation.  

Since 2018, the St. Theresa Point First Nation Chief and Council have been examining options to develop community-owned clean energy projects that could meet local needs. This funding will help retrofit the First Nation's school, home to elementary, middle and high school students, with a solar panel system that will provide the necessary electricity to power the facility. Panels will be mounted on the school's roof and will provide backup power to the facility which could also act as a gathering place for the remote community during power outages.

In addition to increasing the school's self-sufficiency, these improvements will reduce energy consumption by more than 21% and greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10 tonnes annually. St. Theresa Point First Nation is also anticipating that this project will generate hydroelectric savings between $50,000-75,000 annually. As a result, the community will be able to redirect cost-savings back into the school and enrich programming for its students. This project will also provide skills training and employment opportunities for community members.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $1,541,838 through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.
• The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program is an integral part of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada.
• At least 10 percent of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.
• The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program launched its second scheduled intake in December 2022. Applications are being accepted for large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million until February 28, 2023.
• The program continues to accept applications for small and medium retrofit projects to existing community buildings ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999 until February 28, 2023.
• Provincial/territorial governments, municipal or regional governments, public sector bodies, not-for-profit, and Indigenous organizations interested in the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program are invited to apply to the rolling intake and/or competitive intake streams on the Infrastructure Canada website.
• Announced in December 2020, Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan includes 64 new measures and $15 billion in investments towards a healthy environment and economy.

Associated links

Green and Inclusive Community Buildings:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html 

Strengthened Climate Plan:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html

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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For more information (media only), please contact: Kelly Ouimet, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected], [phone]; Raymond Flett, St. Theresa Point First Nation 431-288-0672, [email protected], [email protected]; Media Relations Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]