FCM's Green Municipal Fund supports the development of a second strategic action plan for sustainable development in the City of Baie-Saint-Paul: Agenda 21 (2011-2016) (09/01/2012)

Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and councillor for the City of Kitchener, Ont., and the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a Green Municipal Fund^TM grant for the City of Baie-Saint-Paul. The city has put the $110,000 in funding toward the development of a second strategic action plan for sustainable development.

"FCM's Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that specifically address
the sustainable community development needs of municipal governments," said Vrbanovic. "The financing and knowledge provided by the Fund supports the development of communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable."

"The Government of Canada is assisting municipalities across the country in achieving their goal
of a cleaner and healthier environment for Canadians through the Green Municipal Fund," said Minister Oliver. "Today's announcement is another example of how our government - in partnership with FCM - is helping communities like the City of Baie-Saint-Paul build a greener future for our citizens."

Agenda 21 is used to plan the development of a region by taking into account environmental, economic and social criteria; it also ensures consistent sustainable development initiatives for the community. This action program for the 21st century meets local priority needs for sustainable development. Numerous consultations and creative workshops took place in the fall of 2010, as well as within the Municipalité amie des aînés (MADA) initiative, with action items among the 50 listed in Agenda 21.

"The City of Baie-Saint-Paul appreciates the support of the Green Municipal Fund for our sustainable initiative," said Mayor Jean Fortin. "Thanks to the contributions of the nearly 600 citizens who came to see us, submitted statements or took part in the MADA initiative to suggest courses of action for sustainable development issues in Baie-Saint-Paul, the city has developed a plan that will guide us for the next five years."

The Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the Green Municipal Fund^TM. The Fund supports partnerships and leveraging of both public and private-sector funding to reach higher standards of air, water and soil quality, and climate protection.

For information:

Green Municipal Fund Maurice Gingues Media Relations Officer Green Municipal Fund Federation of Canadian Municipalities Tel.:  613-907-6399 Fax:  613-244-1515	City of Baie-Saint-Paul   Luce-Ann Tremblay Communications and Sustainable Development City of Baie-Saint-Paul Tel.: 418-435-2205, ext. 6205	Natural Resources Canada Patricia Best Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada Tel.:  613-996-2007 Media Relations Natural Resources Canada Tel.:  613-992-4447