SUSTAINABILITY
RETROFIT FUNDS TARGET COMMUNITY BUILDINGS
Two distinct, but complementary new federal programs are promising funds for community buildings. The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program will provide $1.5 billion over five years for capital upgrades, major retrofits or new construction of buildings that provide non-commercial services to the public. The Community Buildings Retrofit initiative will be administered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund, and will make up to $167 million available over six years to improve energy performance and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in recreational and cultural facilities owned by local governments or not-for-profit operators.
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ogether, the programs offer varied project streams for somewhat different but often overlapping proponents, but both are focused on meeting GHG reduction targets and are aligned with the government’s pledge to invest $15 billion in measures to address climate change and boost the green economy. They are also framed as a counterpart to the $2-billion commitment for large-scale commercial building retrofits announced last fall.
“Our community buildings, like arenas, librar ies and recreation centres, are important parts of our towns and cities across the country. Upgrading our existing community buildings and building new, g reen centres will help Canadians create healthier and more vibrant communities,” says Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “By working together, we can cut pollution, help communities save on energy costs and create good jobs.”
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GREEN AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY BUILDINGS PROGRAM
The $1.5 billion fund will be dispersed through two streams: a competitive process for eligible applicants with project costs in the range of $3 million to $25 million; and funds for smaller and medium sized retrofit projects in the range of $100,000 to $3 million, which will be allocated to eligible recipients on a first-come, first-served basis until depleted. Both streams are open to provincial/territorial and local governments, their associated agencies
