EDMONTON, AB, May 3, 2024
/CNW/ - The downtown core in Edmonton will have an improved facility for an
essential range of programs and services after a combined
investment of more than $45 million
from the federal government and the Boyle Street Community
Services.
Announced by Minister Randy
Boissonnault and Jordan
Reiniger, Executive Director, Boyle Street Community
Services, this new building space will be better suited to
providing health and community supports for those experiencing
homelessness and poverty in the growing downtown region of
Edmonton.
The new okimaw peyesew kamik (King Thunderbird Centre)
will be an energy-efficient and accessible facility that replaces
the former community centre building. The new facility will provide
essential healthand housing support services while supporting
Edmonton's vulnerable community
all under one roof. Located just two blocks north of the former
space, the Centre will have private outdoor space for ceremonies
and land-based healing, as well as 75,000 square feet of indoor
space, including a triage area for people awaiting health support
and services. Improvements to this solution-oriented and innovative
space includes better accessibility to services on the main floor
and the incorporation of important aspects of Indigenous culture
and ceremony throughout. The upgraded building will be net-zero
carbon and will serve as headquarters to Boyle Street Community
Services..
For over 50 years, the work of Boyle Street Community Services
have been impactful for those experiencing homelessness and
poverty. This new facility will allow the Boyle Street Community
Services to continue its longstanding work in the community
offering essential programs like basic needs support, health
services, substance-use support, ID and financial services,
cultural healing, and essential amenities.
Quotes
"Through this major investment in the new okimaw peyesew
kamik (King Thunderbird Centre) in Edmonton, the federal government is delivering
for downtown Edmonton. Ensuring
the important work of Boyle Street Community Services can continue
in one centralized location that provides a reliable and safe space
for the community will make our downtown a safer, more vibrant
place to work and live. This world-class facility is being built to
better accommodate the unique needs of a vulnerable population and
will provide dignified support to those who need it most in our
city."
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment,
Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the
Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and
Communities
"Today's transformative $21
million contribution to okimaw peyesew kamik (King
Thunderbird Centre) through the Government of Canada's GICB grant ensures that those our
organization serves will receive the health and community services
they deserve in a welcoming, accessible, and beautiful building. It
also allows us to build a carbon-neutral, climate-resilient
building that enables our organization to sustainably support our
community for decades to come. This project's success is another
example of the care and compassion that exists across Edmonton and Canada. It reminds us what can be achieved
when we come together and put the dignity of our most vulnerable
neighbours at the centre of our efforts. On behalf of all of
us at Boyle Street, I want to thank Ministers Boissonnault, Fraser,
and their teams for their tireless work and advocacy for our
organization and their roles in making okimaw peyesew kamik
a reality."
Jordan Reiniger, Executive
Director, Boyle Street Community Services
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $21,000,000 in this project through the Green and
Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program and the Boyle Street
Community Services is contributing $24,023,383 through their capital campaign.
- These enhancements are expected to reduce the facility's energy
consumption by an estimated 99% and greenhouse gas emissions by 709
tonnes annually.
- The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy
Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan's
first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing
energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate
change.
- The program is providing $1.5
billion over five years towards green and accessible
retrofits, repairs or upgrades.
- At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First
Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous
populations in urban centres.
- The application period for the Green and Inclusive Community
Buildings Program is now closed.
- On December 18, 2023, the federal
government launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy,
which highlights the need for a collaborative, region-specific
approach to sustainability, focusing on strengthening the
coordination of federal programs, and initiatives with significant
investments. This Framework is a first step in a journey that will
bring together multiple stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal
department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian
prairies, has dedicated $100 million
over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas
identified by Prairie stakeholders to build a stronger, more
sustainable, and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and
Canada.
- Infrastructure Canada is
supporting the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to
encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities,
leverage additional funding, and attract new investments across the
Prairies that better meet their needs.
Associated links
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ab-eng.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy Act
https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/B-9.88/page-1.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy
Green Prairie economy - Canada.ca
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada