VARENNES, QC, JAN 14, 2019 -- Investing in green infrastructure helps communities reduce their carbon footprint and increase their resilience to climate change. It also helps safeguard public health, protect the environment and create a clean-growth economy.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Vicki‑May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) today announced funding totaling $1.5 million from the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program for two projects.
"The Government of Canada is committed to investing in projects that support a more strategic approach to planning, building and maintaining public infrastructure," François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities said. "Through partnerships like the one we have with FCM, we are helping provide solid 21st-century infrastructure to communities across the country. The local investments … will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build a clean‑growth economy and strengthen the middle class."
Of this amount, $750,000 will allow the municipalities of Varennes, Maniwaki, Saint‑Fulgence, Saint‑Siméon, Saint‑Charles‑sur‑Richelieu, Carleton‑sur‑Mer, Saint‑Constant, Mercier, Îles‑de‑la‑Madeleine, and the Pontiac RCM to add a shared electric vehicle each to their municipal vehicle fleets and to install electric service stations. Municipal employees will use the vehicles during office hours. When the vehicles are not being used, they will be made available to the community. The goal of this project is to try out innovative solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the province.
The City of Rivière‑du‑Loup will also receive $750,000 to improve its storm drainage system, which doesn't currently have the capacity to handle overflows on one of the busiest roads in the city. The project involves constructing a storm sewer, stormwater retention ponds, swales and new sumps to better manage stormwater run-off. Once complete, this work will better protect residences and businesses from flooding, improve safety and traffic flow along this key downtown roadway, and reduce the amount of sewer water being released into the environment.
"Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change, and they're leading the way on innovative responses," Vicki-May Hamm, FCM President said. "FCM is proud to support these new efforts to build more sustainable, resilient and livable communities. Thanks to our partnership with the Government of Canada, our programs support local solutions with national impact, contributing to infrastructure renewal and our transition to a low-carbon economy.
