Ottawa – For 20 years, the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) has helped Canadian municipalities, big and small, rural and urban, switch to innovative and sustainable practices, making concrete changes in our communities.
Launched with a federal endowment in 2000, GMF has funded more than 1,300 projects to improve air, water and soil quality across Canada — creating jobs and building better lives in cities and communities in every province and territory. GMF has worked alongside municipal governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and manage the impacts of climate change.
This model has been working for Canadians. That’s why the federal government doubled down on GMF in Budget 2019—investing nearly $1 billion in an expanded mission to drive cost-saving energy efficiency and renewable energy in communities across Canada.
GMF-supported projects have kept 2.6 million tonnes of GHG emissions out of our atmosphere. That’s the equivalent of taking 594,000 cars off the road. And these projects have created approximately 10,000 good jobs for Canadians who have installed energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in community buildings, provided access to clean drinking water, helped reclaim toxic sites and more.
This year is an exciting new chapter of growth for the Green Municipal Fund. GMF is expanding its work for community buildings that are more efficient and powered by cleaner energy systems; energy-efficient affordable housing that decreases both operating costs for providers and the cost of living for tenants; and, local programs that help citizens retrofit their own homes to reduce energy bills.
Quotes
"GMF is our federal-municipal partnership at its practical best. GMF is all about unlocking local potential to drive national impact. This is about supporting innovative local solutions that can ultimately be scaled up to help tackle some of this country’s biggest challenges — from climate change to sustainable growth. Powered by these game-changer investments, FCM is ready to deliver, through GMF, green infrastructure dollars directly to communities in the months to come, supporting their post-COVID-19 recovery—creating jobs and kick-starting economies while helping Canada meet its climate objectives. Building on 20 years of proven success, GMF stands ready to contribute to Canada’s economic recovery and deliver results for Canadians."
– Bill Karsten, FCM President
"The Green Municipal Fund is a prime example of how the Government of Canada is working in partnership with local communities towards a more sustainable future. For 20 years, we have invested in projects to help build clean, healthy, and more resilient communities that will withstand the impacts of climate change. The COVID-19 health crisis has highlighted the importance of our local communities, and our connection to nature and a clean environment. As we emerge from the acute phase of this crisis, I am looking forward to continuing our work with the FCM that is making a real difference in the lives of Canadians."
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"During this unprecedented time, we must keep our partnerships with local communities strong. Canada remains committed to building a clean energy future and supporting the natural resources sector through this tough economic time. We know that the Federation’s continued work to champion sustainable growth and development is essential to this work."
– The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
The Green Municipal Fund is a $1 billion program, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of local government, with nearly 2,000 members representing more than 90 per cent of Canada’s population.
For more information, please contact:
FCM Media Relations, (613) 907-6395, media@fcm.ca