FCM's Green Municipal Fund supports the Abitibi Regional County Municipality to conduct a feasibility study for a composting platform (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 (GMF) grant of $40,975 for the Abitibi Regional County Municipality (RCM). The RCM has put the funding toward a feasibility study for a composting platform, which will enable it to divert compostable materials from the landfill site.

"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 Abitibi Regional County Municipality build a greener future for our citizens."

In 2010, Abitibi conducted a feasibility study to determine whether a composting platform would be viable in the municipality, given its low population density. This platform would enable the RCM to meet its annual target of more than 50 per cent waste diversion from landfill. The study has shown that an open windrow composting facility could easily be established in the municipality - and that its price would be comparable with that of the landfill site.

"The Abitibi RCM appreciates the support of the Green Municipal Fund for our sustainable initiative," said Jacques Riopel, warden of the RCM. "We have undertaken a feasibility study for a composting platform that will help us to achieve the objectives of our solid waste management policy. By achieving our environmental goals more effectively, we move closer to a greener future for the citizens of the Abitibi RCM." 

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	Abitibi Regional County Municipality Michel Roy Chair Abitibi RCM Tel.: 819-732-5356, ext. 201	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