FCM’s Green Municipal Fund supports the Region of Waterloo’s Long-Term Transportation Plan

April 16, 2009

Waterloo – Brantford city councillor Marguerite Ceschi-Smith, representingthe Federation of Canadian Municipalities’s Green Municipal Fund and Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today a Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant for the Region of Waterloo. The Region of Waterloo will use the grant to develop its Long-term Transportation Plan – called Moving Forward 2031– that could cut greenhouse gases by up to 10,000 tonnes a year.

“FCM’s Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that specifically address the sustainable community development needs of municipal governments,” said Jean Perrault, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Mayor of Sherbrooke, Que. “The financing and knowledge provided by the Fund supports the development of communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.”

“Our government is assisting municipalities across the country in achieving their goal of a cleaner and healthier environment for Canadians through the Green Municipal Fund,” said Mr. Braid. ”Today’s announcement is another example of how the Government of Canada – in partnership with the FCM – is helping the Region of Waterloo build a greener future for our citizens.”

The Region of Waterloo will develop a long-term transportation plan to accommodate expected population growth and provide the community with alternatives to automobile use. A steering committee with representatives from the City of Kitchener, the City of Cambridge and the townships of North Dumfries, Wilmot, Wellesley and Woolwich will guide the process, beginning with public consultations to set goals and objectives.

These public consultations, along with assessment of land-use options and best practices in other municipalities, will inform the development of both a policy framework and a strategic plan that prioritizes transit improvements. The team will also identify financial, structural and operational requirements to support the Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The TMP will include a monitoring process and performance indicators. The plan will lay the groundwork for several capital projects, including rapid transit and Grand River Transit infrastructure, multi-modal infrastructure and bicycling facilities.

The combined initiatives are predicted to cut more than 10,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases annually, as well as reduce particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and other harmful emissions.
 
“As one of Canada’s faster growing municipalities, the Region of Waterloo will use this funding to assist in creating a transportation plan that is sustainable and vital to accommodate growth while enhancing our quality of life, continuing our economic vibrancy and protecting our heritage and natural resources,” said Regional Chair Ken Seiling.

The Green Municipal Fund is an endowment financed by the Government of Canada and managed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities 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.

FCM has been the national voice of municipal governments since 1901. It fosters sustainable communities enjoying a high quality of life by promoting strong, effective, and accountable municipal government.

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