Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) President Garth Frizzell issued this statement after FCM’s Sustainable Communities Conference was held virtually.
"This week, hundreds of local leaders and municipal experts from across the country gathered virtually at the Sustainable Communities Conference (SCC) to demonstrate how municipal leaders are delivering some of Canada’s most innovative green solutions. With influence over half of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, local governments are key to meeting Canada’s climate goals.
"Municipalities are leading locally, with innovative solutions that can ultimately be scaled up to help tackle some of this country’s biggest challenges — from climate change to sustainable growth. FCM and its innovative suite of programming is already delivering, through initiatives like the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP), and the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP). Green infrastructure dollars invested into communities in the months to come can support the post-COVID-19 recovery, create jobs and kick-start the economy while helping Canada meet its climate objectives.
"The federal government is an important partner in that mission. Conference delegates were pleased to hear the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, emphasize the critical role that municipalities play in delivering results on climate action including through federal investments in local sustainable infrastructure. They also had the opportunity to hear the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson, in a video he shared with delegates.
"Canadian municipalities are working hard to build sustainable communities—with cleaner air, soil and water; more resilience to weather extremes; lower GHG emissions and a higher quality of life. This year’s FCM Sustainable Communities Award winners are the perfect examples of local actions bringing concrete change.
"Eleven municipalities from across the country were chosen for their outstanding efforts in numerous categories, including asset management, brownfields, climate change, energy, neighborhoods, transportation, waste, and water. Winners delivered presentations on their projects to the conference delegates to share their experience and encourage others to follow their lead. Moreover, they exemplify how municipal innovation can have transformational national and international impacts.
"Local governments get the job done efficiently and cost-effectively because they connect solutions to local needs and local realities. This year Sustainable Communities Conference embodied those principles of sustainability and collaboration."
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of local government, with nearly 2,000 members representing more than 90 per cent of Canada’s population.
For more information, please contact:
FCM Media Relations
(613) 907-6395
media@fcm.ca