About the Issue
Canada is admired and envied for its abundance of natural resources - from fresh water and vast forests to minerals and energy sources. At the heart of these natural endowments is the environment.
Municipalities are on the front-lines in Canada's efforts to conserve energy, protect our air and water and build a greener economy. Cities and communities of all sizes are responsible for virtually all of Canada's water treatment, public transit, recycling and garbage disposal, and are investing what they can in energy conservation and the fight against climate change.
But on their own, municipal property taxpayers cannot afford to fund the construction, repair and maintenance of Canada's green infrastructure.
The Green Municipal FundTM is just one small, successful example of the environmental progress that can be made through federal-municipal collaboration. Endowed by the Government of Canada and administered by FCM, the Fund has invested in 875 community-driven sustainability projects to improve air, water and soil quality.
Our Position
The Government of Canada must turn its environmental objectives into practical action by expanding green partnerships with municipalities, including:
- Working together to implement and cost-share new national wastewater regulations
- Renewing funding for public transit, legislating targets to reduce traffic gridlock and supporting transit-friendly tax policies
- Work with all orders of government to implement the Canada-Wide Strategy for Sustainable Packaging
The Latest
The federal government has centered its environmental policy on reducing water and air pollution, becoming a "clean energy superpower" and lowering GHG emissions by 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020.
Municipalities have undertaken thousands of projects to stop pollution, save energy and cut Green House Gas emissions, from turning landfill gas into electricity to using high-efficiency buses. FCM's 2009 Act Locally report shows that, with support from federal, provincial and territorial partners, municipalities could invest in many more proven, cost-effective projects to protect the environment and fight climate change.
How We Do Our Work
With the support of FCM staff, our standing committee is dedicating time and attention to ensure progress is made in this area.
