In communities across the country, Canadians are experiencing the impacts of climate change. By investing in initiatives that lower emissions and increase the resiliency of communities, we are creating good, middle-class jobs and building Canada's low-emission energy future.
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, and Joanne Vanderheyden, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), on July 16 announced an investment of $9.74 million through FCM's Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and drive cost savings in communities in Nova Scotia.
The $9.57-million investment is provided through GMF's Community Efficiency Financing initiative to help the not-for-profit organization Clean Foundation, alongside its municipal partners, extend the Clean Energy Financing program to support residential energy retrofits in rural Nova Scotia municipalities. The program is currently operating in partnership with the towns of Bridgewater and Amherst, the districts of Digby, Lunenburg, Barrington and Yarmouth, and Cumberland County and plans to grow in the Town of New Glasgow and Inverness County. The program uses a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing model, where homeowners pay for their home upgrades via a special charge on their property tax bills - and save enough in energy costs to cover the retrofits.
In addition, $175,000 is awarded to the Halifax Regional Municipality to study the feasibility of expanding Halifax's Solar City program with accessible and at scale financing options. The Solar City project, funded through GMF, has financed more than $18 million in solar energy systems since its inception in 2012 and is one of the first PACE programs to generate demand that outweighs what the current program model can finance.
GMF's Community Efficiency Financing initiative helps communities of all sizes implement innovative local financing programs that directly helps homeowners cut their GHG emissions, make their homes more energy-efficient, comfortable and affordable, and create local jobs to keep the local economy moving.
These initiatives highlight some of the ways GMF continues to build on its 20-year record of supporting transformative environmental initiatives at the community level. The Government of Canada has invested $1.65 billion in GMF since its inception, enabling municipalities to support projects like this that leverage local resources to drive innovative solutions.
The government supports smarter energy initiatives that build a healthier and cleaner future while creating new jobs and driving economic prosperity for all Canadians.
Quotes
"Local green solutions create jobs, lower emissions and build a more prosperous and sustainable economy for all. This is how we get to net zero by 2050."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources
"Cost-saving home energy retrofits empower Canadians to lower their emissions and their energy bills. That's how we build more prosperous and sustainable communities, and that's how we get Canada to net-zero by 2050."
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"Canadians across the country are experiencing the impacts of climate change, and through initiatives like the Green Municipal Fund, federal funding is helping municipalities to reduce emissions. Today's announcement will help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient, comfortable and affordable. By working together, we can create good jobs, tackle climate change, and build cleaner, more inclusive communities."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Canadians in communities across the country are working hard to cut pollution and create jobs. By supporting Canadians in upgrading their homes, we are fighting climate change, helping Canadians save on energy costs, and ensuring cleaner air and cleaner water for our children and grandchildren."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"Canadians want new ways to make their homes energy efficient and more affordable. FCM's Green Municipal Fund can enable more local action, right in their homes, to achieve Canada's climate change goals. GMF is empowering municipalities, big and small, to get results on the ground. Today's announcement helps communities build better lives for Canadians with more energy-efficient homes."
Joanne Vanderheyden, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
"The investment announced today by the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will have real, long-lasting positive impacts on our environment and will mean so much for those in our community who are ready to embrace household retrofits through the extension and improvement of the Clean Energy Financing program. In addition to providing a new source of financing so that we can serve more residents, today's announcement allows us to greatly reduce one of the first barriers for some people: the application fee. Ensuring we aren't leaving anyone behind as we move to a greener and more sustainable future is vital - today we take a big step in making that a reality. These enhancements to the financing program will enable more of our community's residents to access retrofits that improve the energy efficiency of their homes, saving them money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, all while creating a more comfortable home environment."
David Mitchell, Mayor of Bridgewater
"Halifax is committed to an equitable transition to a low carbon economy, and we are pleased this support from the Green Municipal Fund will boost our efforts to create an energy retrofit and renewable energy program."
Mike Savage, Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality
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