Canadians benefit from safer, cleaner and healthier places to live when municipalities invest in innovative ways to reduce pollution and improve energy efficiency in the public infrastructure that they own and operate.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Vicki-May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced support for small and medium-sized municipalities across Canada to address staffing gaps and produce lasting improvements in their operations to respond to the intensifying impacts of climate change.
FCM’s Climate change staff grants will provide funding to supplement the salary of new or existing municipal employees, which will enable them to implement initiatives that increase the municipality’s capacity to adapt to climate change or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Climate change staff grants are offered through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) delivered by FCM and funded by the Government of Canada.
Quotes
Canadians live in cleaner, healthier and safer communities when municipalities have the skills and talent they need to take action on climate change. That’s why our government is investing in programs that build the capacity of communities to reduce pollution and improve energy efficiency. These investments will result in more modern, resilient and green infrastructure so Canadians can watch their children play and grow.
— The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Municipalities influence roughly half of Canada’s GHG emissions and they are already modelling some of the most innovative green initiatives in the country. But they need the resources to build on these first steps. That is why we are proud to support our local governments with this funding to help create jobs that will drive solutions and support national results.
— Vicki-May Hamm, FCM President
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada is investing $6.4 million to support 58 small to mid-sized municipalities across Canada to address staffing gaps and produce lasting improvements in their operations related to climate change.
- Climate change staff grants are available to Canadian municipalities with populations of 150,000 or less.
- Grants of up to $125,000, covering up to 80% of staff costs, were available to supplement the salary of a new or existing municipal employee to work on climate change initiatives. These grants will be disbursed over a two-year period.
- 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. The five-year $75-million program is delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.
- Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing 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 is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Related product
Backgrounder: Communities receiving funding for climate change staff support
Associated links
Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program
FCM Funding
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
Contacts
FCM Media Relations
Tel: 613-907-6395
Email: media@fcm.ca
Ann-Clara Vaillancourt
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Tel: 613-697-3778
Email: ann-clara.vaillancourt@canada.ca
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
Tel: 613-960-9251
Toll Free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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