The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) have announced an investment of $104,800 through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF). The investment will help improve water quality in Corner Brook and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in St. John’s.

“Cities are key partners in pioneering practical climate solutions,” said Catherine McKenna, minister of infrastructure and communities. “Through the Green Municipal Fund, we’re supporting municipalities in their efforts to lower emissions through projects like energy efficient retrofits, electric and hybrid electric transit pilots, and efficiencies in wastewater treatment.”

The City of Corner Brook in Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $56,200 to conduct a feasibility study with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper. The feasibility study will investigate technical options for combining the treatment of municipal and paper mill wastewater. Currently municipal wastewater is not treated and is discharged directly into the Humber Arm marine environment. The industrial effluent from the mill is currently treated through an activated sludge process.

The City of St. John’s will receive $48,600 to develop a climate plan that aims to reduce emissions and stabilize energy costs. The Resilient St. John’s Climate Plan will be developed using a stakeholder approach and a comprehensive geospatial energy flow model. This approach would allow St. John’s to estimate energy use and costs in the community at a neighbourhood level, as well as the potential for job creation under a future scenario. This information would then be used to develop an evidence-based, equitable and economically viable plan for the city to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with a strong focus on addressing equity and energy poverty.

“Our cities and communities influence half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions,” said Joanne Vanderheyden, president of FCM. “That means local action is critical. With support from the Green Municipal Fund, this is what’s happening: municipalities of all sizes are implementing smart low-carbon solutions. Empowering this local expertise is vital to meeting Canada’s climate goals. When orders of government work together to reduce emissions, we’re building more resilient communities.”

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