Municipalities team up to tackle climate change

FCM's Climate and Asset Management Network announces 19 new member communities 

OTTAWA, Nov. 30, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are proud to announce the participants in the Climate and Asset Management Network (CAMN).  For the network's next two-year cycle, 19 communities from across Canada will take an active role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the potential effects of climate change ? by using cutting-edge strategies to manage their assets more efficiently and sustainably.

Participating communities will strengthen their asset management capacity by collaborating and sharing knowledge with a network of peers working toward similar goals. Each network member will develop or refresh an asset management policy or strategy to align with their community's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.

CAMN offers peer-learning opportunities, training, and $1.6 million in grant funding to help Canadian municipalities integrate climate change and sustainability goals systematically into decision-making about infrastructure assets, such as roads, buildings, and water and sanitation systems.

By embedding climate goals into their asset management planning, communities of all sizes can provide greater environmental, economic and social value for Canadians over the long term.

Participating communities:

• Alberta - County of Grande Prairie No. 1, City of Wetaskiwin
• British Columbia - Capital Regional District, Cowichan Valley Regional District, City of New Westminster, District of North Vancouver, City of Prince George, District of Summerland
• Manitoba - City of Selkirk
• New Brunswick - City of Saint John
• Newfoundland & Labrador - City of Corner Brook
• Northwest Territories - City of Yellowknife
• Ontario - City of Guelph, City of Halton Hills, City of Kenora, City of Kitchener, City of Toronto, City of Thunder Bay
• Saskatchewan - City of Saskatoon

CAMN is available through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.

Quotes

"These municipalities will lead the way in finding efficient and innovative ways to plan, build, and maintain infrastructure. The expertise and knowledge shared by this network will help communities across Canada reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Innovative green infrastructure projects contribute to a clean growth economy and strengthen the middle class by ensuring communities are healthy and sustainable places to live."
- The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Canadian municipalities are fighting climate change with innovative local solutions. And working together to share information and results will help them design even more successful initiatives in the future. Tapping into this local expertise and scaling up these local solutions across the country is vital to meeting Canada's national climate goals."
- Jenny Gerbasi, FCM President

Quick facts

• The Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program is a new five-year, $75-million program designed to support and encourage Canadian municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
• The Municipal Asset Management Program offers Canadian municipalities additional funding and training opportunities related to asset management and infrastructure planning.
• Both programs are delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.

Related Information

FCM's Climate and Asset Management Network 
FCM's Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program
FCM's Municipal Asset Management Program
Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada