Today, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced new funding to help municipalities take action on climate change and resilience.
FCM's climate change staff grants provide funding to supplement the salary of a new or existing municipal employee who will work on initiatives to improve adaptation to local climate change impacts or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These grants of up to $125,000, disbursed over two years, help municipalities address staffing gaps and produce lasting improvements in their operations related to climate change.
Staff grants can help municipalities make progress on climate change activities, including conducting research; creating GHG inventories; preparing climate adaptation or GHG emission reduction plans; and implementing operational changes to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts.
Individual municipalities with populations below 150,000, or a partnership of multiple communities are the target recipients of the funding. Climate change staff grants are intended to enable action by addressing the barrier of inadequate staff resources to manage climate change related initiatives especially in smaller and medium sized communities.
Staff grants are offered through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, a 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 GHG emissions. The program is delivered by FCM and funded by the Government of Canada.
Quotes
The Government of Canada is committed to investing in infrastructure that strengthens the middle class, promotes economic prosperity and provides municipalities with the building blocks they need to support a high standard of living for Canadians and their families. We are proud to support efforts to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and contribute to the protection of our communities now and for the future.
— The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Municipalities influence roughly half of Canada's GHG emissions and they are already modelling some of the most innovative green initiatives in the country. But they need the resources to build on these first steps. That is why we are proud to support our local governments with this funding to drive local solutions and support national results.
— Jenny Gerbasi, FCM President
Quick facts
- Climate change staff grants are available to Canadian municipalities with populations of 150,000 or less
- Grants of up to $125,000, covering up to 80% of staff costs, are available to supplement the salary of a new or existing municipal employee to work on climate change initiatives. These grants will be disbursed over a two-year period.
Associated links
Government of Canada's $180 billion+ infrastructure plan
Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program
FCM Programs
FCM Funding
Contacts
Media Relations
T. 613-907-6395
media@fcm.ca
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
T. 613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca
Infrastructure Canada
T. 613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada