While the Government of Canada continues to protect and support Canadians through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is meeting its ambitious climate objectives, supporting economic growth and job creation, and building more inclusive and resilient communities where all Canadians have opportunities to thrive.
On August 13, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced the first recipients of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. This program supports green and inclusive community buildings across Canada through retrofits, repairs, upgrades, and new builds by supporting projects that will reduce energy waste and emissions, enhance climate resiliency, and contribute to more accessible and inclusive community spaces.
Among the projects approved is the upgrading and retrofitting of the Beothic Arena in the Town of New-Wes-Valley, Newfoundland and Labrador. This project involves a large retrofit to the recreational facility which will include a major roof repair and operations systems upgrades to improve overall energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions and enhance the climate resilience of the building.
Four other projects will also receive funding under the new program. In Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton Miners Museum will be upgraded with the installation of solar panels and improved LED fixtures in the lobby, “Men of the Deeps” Theatre, Lamphouse and pre-tour area.
Sandy Lake First Nation will see retrofits to its arena, as well as roof and ceiling repairs, improved insulation and ventilation upgrades. Two projects in Alberta, the Magnolia Community Centre in Parkland County and the Elders Lodge in Alexander First Nation will benefit from retrofits and upgrades that will lead to significant energy savings and improved accessibility.
As part of the Strengthened Climate Plan, GICB will deliver $1.5 billion in funding over the next five years to projects that improve the places where Canadians gather, access services, and connect with others in the community, while saving energy, cutting pollution, and creating thousands of good jobs.
Through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, we continue to work together for Canadians to achieve triple benefits: grow our economy and create jobs, tackle climate change and build a more resilient and inclusive country for all.
Quotes
“Community buildings are at the heart of places where Canadians want to live, work and raise their families. Through the new Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program we’re investing almost $5.6 million to retrofit and upgrade buildings to improve energy efficiency in New-Wes-Valley, Newfoundland, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Sandy Lake First Nation, Ontario, and Magnolia and the Alexander First Nation in Alberta. Canada’s infrastructure plan is creating good jobs, tackling climate change, and building cleaner, more inclusive communities across the country.”
— The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“The Miners Museum is fundamental in educating tourists, and even local community members, on the history of Cape Breton’s Coal Mining industry, and the sacrifices made by resilient men and women who went to work in the mines every day. As tourism, and arts and culture sectors have been some of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m so happy to see this culture space receive close to $630,000 from the federal government to support their infrastructure improvements, making the museum energy-efficient, more inclusive, accessible and welcoming for all its visitors.”
— Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso
“For the Town of New-Wes-Valley, the Beothic Arena, a recreational and ice hockey facility, is an important focal point of winter recreation activities for residents of the community and surrounding areas. The investment through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program to improve ventilation for the arena and repair its roof will ensure the arena and its ice surface meets the needs of the community for years to come.”
— Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista—Burin—Trinity
Quick facts
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Announced in December 2020, Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan includes 64 new measures and $15 billion in investments towards a healthy environment and economy, including $1.5 billion over five years for green and inclusive community buildings.
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The GICB program was announced in April 2021. Funding recipients include Indigenous and local governments, provincial and territorial governments, and not-for-profit organizations. At least 10 per cent of this funding will be allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.
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The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program complements the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s $10-billion Growth Plan, which includes $2 billion for large-scale energy-efficient building retrofits.
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Information about the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program may be found on the Infrastructure Canada website. Interested governments, not-for-profit and Indigenous governments, governing bodies and organizations are invited to apply.
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