Net Zero News
Ottawa, FCM deliver investments in net-zero energy buildings in Toronto

Ottawa has announced a $175,000 investment through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to support Toronto’s transition to low-carbon and renewable energy.

The City of Toronto is receiving $29,000 to study the best solution for designing a net zero energy building for the North East Scarborough Community and Child Care Centre, located at Joyce Trimmer Park, 8450 Sheppard Avenue. The study has now been completed and construction is underway.

The City is also receiving $146,000 for a similar study for the Western North York Community & Child Care Centre at 60 Starview Lane. Both studies incorporate strategies to deliver energy, water and waste reduction.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to be supporting low-carbon innovation in Toronto’s building sector. These studies will lead to improved access to community facilities for children and families, while reducing emissions and benefiting the local economy,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources.

The expected environmental benefits targeted by these studies are to achieve 100 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The projects will also have economic development and productivity benefits that will contribute to the long-term financial stability and prosperity of the community. Social benefits of these projects include the improvement of the community’s quality of life, the revitalization of community bonds, and increased opportunities for public education and awareness.

The Green Municipal Fund, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, is funded through an endowment by the Government of Canada. GMF helps local governments switch to sustainable practices faster. Its unique mix of funding, resources and training gives municipalities the tools they need to build resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our government is supporting Toronto’s Community and Child Care Centres to become climate leaders. The investments announced today for the centres in Scarborough and North York will benefit community members while raising awareness of the role of buildings in the fight against climate change. Congratulations to all those involved,” says Julie Dabrusin Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth.

Ottawa is also developing a Green Buildings Strategy, which will create local jobs and help Canada move toward a resilient, net-zero emissions buildings sector by 2050. The Strategy will be focused on increasing the rate of building retrofits, ensuring buildings are resilient and net-zero ready from the start, and supporting systems change for the buildings sector of the future. Further engagement on the Strategy with partners such as provinces and territories, Indigenous governments and municipalities will take place before it is finalized in 2023.

Through efforts such as these, the federal government is creating sustainable jobs, building a clean energy future and charting a path toward net-zero emissions by 2050.