Investing in green infrastructure helps communities reduce their carbon footprint and increase their resilience against climate change. It also helps safeguard public health, protect the environment and create a clean-growth economy.
More than $2.8 million in new local grants will be provided through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) federally-funded Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program. The announcement was made by Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Bill Karsten, FCM First Vice-President and Councillor for Halifax Regional Municipality.
This investment will empower the City of Saint John to undertake a large-scale energy retrofit to the historic City Market, increasing the building's life span and reducing its carbon footprint. This project is expected to generate an 83 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while reducing its annual energy and maintenance costs.
Saint John residents will also benefit from a new multi-purpose sports, wellness and recreation facility. This project will include unique wetland features on the facility's grounds to adapt to stormwater flooding and sea-level surge occurrences caused by climate change.
In the County of Annapolis, Nova Scotia, the municipality and the Bridgetown Community Recreation Association are undertaking a major efficiency upgrade to the Bridgetown & District Memorial Arena. The end result will see a reduction in power consumption and GHG emissions by 75 per cent.
Quotes
The Government of Canada is pleased to be partnering with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to support green infrastructure projects that will build healthier, cleaner communities now and for future generations. Improvements to projects like the Saint John City Market and the Bridgetown & District Memorial Arena will create new opportunities to grow the economy and strengthen the middle class, while improving energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint.
— Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
With federal funding through this FCM program, communities are driving local change with national impact. Local governments influence around half of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, and today's announcement demonstrates the concrete steps local leaders are taking toward Canada's GHG targets. With national leadership and investment in the power of municipalities, remarkable progress is possible.
— Bill Karsten, FCM First Vice-President
Quick facts
- The Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) helps municipalities and partner organizations by providing funding, training and information sharing. It is designed to encourage Canadian municipalities to better prepare for and adapt to the new realities of climate change as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. MCIP is a five-year $75-million program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.
- Through the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- $26.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Related product
Backgrounder: New funding supports clean and cost-effective community infrastructure in Atlantic Canada
Associated links
Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program
FCM Funding
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
Contacts
Kate Monfette
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-301-0894
kate.monfette@canada.ca
FCM Media Relations
613-907-6395
media@fcm.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada