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 Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Jenny Gerbasi, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced over $3 million in funding for 50 new initiatives in communities across Canada through two programs: the Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP) and the Green Municipal Fund (GMF).
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 on these fronts in municipalities large and small. Examples include:
- The Regional District of North Okanagan, in British Columbia, is developing a new asset management investment plan. This plan will help the municipality ensure they have a solid understanding of the assets they own, their worth, the amount of investment needed to ensure sustainability, and the condition of assets at any given point in time. Planning like this helps local leaders make informed decisions on infrastructure spending.
- In Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is partnering with the private sector to study the feasibility of creating a district energy system. The system would provide an affordable, low-carbon supply of thermal energy for buildings along Sydney’s waterfront and downtown core.
Quotes
Investments in green infrastructure for projects such as the ones in North Okanagan and Cape Breton, help protect communities and support Canada's ongoing transition to a clean, sustainable growth economy that will benefit Canadians for generations to come. With a clearer vision of their long-term needs, municipalities will be able to plan, build and maintain their infrastructure more strategically, which will make their infrastructure dollars go further.
— The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
These projects showcase innovative green infrastructure and energy solutions that help Canada transition to a low-carbon economy. Through the Green Municipal Fund our government is proud to support projects that help communities become more sustainable and contribute to a better quality of life for all Canadians.
— The Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources
FCM is proud to see these municipalities showing such commitment to building more resilient and sustainable communities. They are taking steps to strengthen decision-making on infrastructure spending, which has a major impact on the day-to-day lives of their residents. What's even more encouraging is the exchange of knowledge and the scaling-up of green initiatives that will help us achieve national sustainability goals.
— Jenny Gerbasi, FCM President
Quick facts
- The Municipal Asset Management Program 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.
- The Green Municipal FundTM (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.
Related product
Backgrounder: Communities across Canada receive support for infrastructure planning and green innovation
Associated links
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan (PDF Version)
Investing in Canada plan project map
Municipal Asset Management Program
Green Municipal Fund
FCM Funding
Contacts
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
T. 613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca
FCM Media Relations
T. 613-907-6395
media@fcm.ca
Infrastructure Canada
T. 613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
Ottawa
343-292-6100