NEWS RELEASE
LLOYD LONGFIELD
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Investing in local infrastructure helps create good middle class jobs, tackle climate change and improve Canadians' quality of life. That’s why the Government of Canada is partnering with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities—and municipalities such as Guelph—to help achieve these national objectives.
Today, Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, minister of Infrastructure and Communities, is announcing $175,000 in federal funding through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) for the City of Guelph’s Corporate Asset Management Program.
The project is one of 103 MCIP and Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP) projects that have been approved in 97 communities across Canada for federal funding amounting to just over $6.8 million on Oct. 19, 2017.
The funding will help the City of Guelph develop strategies and policies that will incorporate climate change planning for the long term. It will help determine the cost and benefits of the current services and take into consideration greenhouse gas reduction goals and our vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change.
It will also help inform residents of the standards of service and identify their desired level of service during extreme weather events.
The Government of Canada partners with municipalities nationwide to provide residents and businesses with reliable and sustainable public infrastructure to meet their needs well into the future.
Investing in green infrastructure that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and prepares for challenges resulting from climate change will build cleaner, more sustainable communities.
Helping municipalities base infrastructure decisions in strengthened asset management practices will make dollars go further and benefit Canadians for years to come.
Quotes
“Through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, Guelph will be able to plan, build and maintain its infrastructure more strategically. It will also be able to complete infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better prepare them for the impacts of climate change. - Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph
“Communities large and small are looking for ways to maximize their infrastructure dollars, plan for and adapt to impacts of climate change, and undertake programs that benefit the environment. Local solutions are helping tackle national challenges—building a more livable, competitive Canada. We are proud of the great work communities are doing with the help of these federally funded programs.” - Jenny Gerbasi, FCM president
“Guelph is thrilled to receive this funding from the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The ten-year update of Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative will ensure we are meeting our goals and measuring our success, while giving us a clear picture of the risks and opportunities ahead for our city.” - Cam Guthrie, mayor of Guelph
“Municipalities are on the front lines of responding to climate change, because we must plan for unexpected weather events and manage climate-related impacts on our infrastructure. This funding will help the City of Guelph make sound decisions around energy planning, grounded in the realities of climate change.” - Scott Stewart, deputy chief administrative officer for infrastructure, Development and Enterprise, City of Guelph
Quick facts
- The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of local government, with nearly 2,000 members representing more than 90 per cent of Canada's population. In partnership with the Government of Canada, FCM delivers capacity-building programming in several areas, including sustainability, climate action and asset management
- The Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program is a new five-year, $75-million program 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. Today’s announcement includes just over $3.7 million in MCIP grants towards 28 projects in municipalities across Canada.
- The Municipal Asset Management Program is a five-year, $50-million program designed to help Canadian municipalities strengthen infrastructure investment decisions based on sound asset management practices. Today’s announcement includes over $3.1 million in MAMP grants towards 75 projects in municipalities across Canada.
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