MARKHAM,
ON, Aug. 22, 2024 /CNW/ - An innovative
net-zero neighbourhood in southern Ontario is receiving continued support from
the Government of Canada and the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund to
ensure residents have access to sustainable and affordable
energy.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources, and Geoff
Stewart, President of the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities, announced an investment of $8.7 million to support the development of a
geothermal energy system to heat and cool 312 homes in the new
Berczy Glen neighbourhood in the City of
Markham.
Commissioned in 2022, the project is being led in partnership
with the city, Enwave Energy Corporation and Mattamy Homes
Canada.
The innovative design, a first of its kind in Canada, harnesses the natural heat from below
the surface of the earth to warm homes in the winter and cool them
in the summer through an ambient loop system which shares energy
throughout the community. Geothermal boreholes are buried and
interconnected through a loop beneath the road and a single pipe is
connected to each house, like an electrical grid, that provides
less greenhouse gas emissions.
For the fast-growing city, the sustainable neighbourhood is a
significant step forward for Markham to achieve its net-zero goals while
also providing a roadmap for other municipalities to follow.
About the FCM's Green Municipal Fund
FCM's Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization
providing funding and education to municipalities to help them both
reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also
delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and
infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by 2.87 million tonnes, funded nearly
13,000 person-years of employment, enabled nearly 30,000
sustainable affordable housing units, and contributed $1.2 billion to the national GDP via the more
than 2,100 approved projects. GMF manages approximately
$2.4 billion in programs funded by
the Government of Canada.
Quotes
"Energy efficiency means cost savings for Canadians. At a time
when we are facing challenges with affordability and climate
change, this partnership between Enwave Energy, the City of Markham, and Mattamy Homes will meet
Canadians where they are at and deliver the action they need for
better housing and more affordable clean home energy. Projects like
the Berczy Glen geothermal energy system help deliver on the
commitments announced recently in Canada's first-ever Green Buildings Strategy,
which is a plan to save Canadians money, create jobs and seize the
economic opportunities of a sustainable future."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources
"Climate action can take many forms; using innovative
technologies to make our neighbourhoods more sustainable is one of
them. Through this funding, the new Berczy Glen neighbourhood of
Markham will be able to access
clean and affordable energy using geothermal energy. This is just
one example of many great municipal projects we are supporting that
will deliver financial, social and environmental benefits to our
communities."
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"Municipalities have influence over more than half of
Canada's greenhouse gas emissions,
making it crucial for them to take ambitious climate action for
Canada to achieve its net zero
target by 2050. The support of the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities and the Government of Canada is essential in this endeavor. FCM's
Green Municipal Fund enables projects like the development of the
Berczy Glen neighborhood to move forward. Collaboration among all
orders of government is necessary to continue working towards a
more sustainable and affordable Canada, and FCM is proud to be part of such an
important initiative."
Geoff
Stewart
FCM President
"We are pleased to be the recipient of funding from the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund
for our innovative project at the Berczy Glen community.
Undertaking a large ambition like the geothermal system we've
developed in Markham requires
partnership and shared ambition, and we are proud to have partnered
with Mattamy Homes Canada and the City of
Markham to build this low-carbon community together. We look
forward to the potential to scale this new low-carbon model in
communities across Canada as we
progress toward net-zero emissions."
Carlyle Coutinho
CEO Enwave Energy Corporation
"Mattamy is proud to partner with like-minded organizations who
share our commitment to a more sustainable future and excited for
the opportunities that our Berczy Glen community will provide for
residents."
Brad Carr
CEO Mattamy Homes Canada
Associated links
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Green Municipal Fund
2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
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SOURCE Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)