Calgary, Lethbridge among communities to receive millions in funding for green initiatives
The federal government is fronting more than $25 million to four municipalities to help implement financing programs for homeowners who want to go green.
Calgary, Lethbridge, Canmore and St. Albert will each receive millions to implement "retrofit financing programs for residential properties," said Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal Natural Resources Minister.
Calgary will receive $15 million, Lethbridge will get $3.8 million, Canmore's allocation is $1.6 million and St. Albert will receive $5 million.
“Climate change has serious implications for our city both now and into the future," said Jyoti Gondek, Calgary's mayor.
"This fund will open the door for Calgarians to make their homes more energy efficient, reduce their carbon footprint and save money."
Calgary's funding portion will help launch the city's Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), which council passed as a bylaw in December 2021.
It allows homeowners to use the funding for a long list of projects, ranging from high-efficiency boilers, air conditioners or furnaces to smart thermostats and insulation improvements. People would then have to pay back the money used for projects on their own home through their property taxes.
The city says applications for the CEIP are set to open this fall and the program will first be available for residential properties, though non-residential projects may be eligible in the future.
In Lethbridge, the city says it plans to use some of the money to support affordable housing providers with facility improvements.
"The investment from the green municipal fund will ensure we’re able to help residents in our city make real, tangible energy efficiency and sustainability improvements to their homes," said Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen.
"Thanks to the $3.8 million in grant and loan funding, we’re going to see a reduction in our overall carbon footprint and that supports our environmental responsibility focus as a city council.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.