Mississauga’s Getting a Major Investment from the Federal Government

It’s true that big things are happening in Mississauga. We have some major developments on the way, like more affordable housing units, lakeview upgrades, and even improvements on some of our major roadways.

Now, the federal government is making a big investment in Mississauga.

In fact, Infrastructure Canada announced on Tuesday over $12.1 million in funding for just 159 new initiatives in communities across Canada.

Three programs are receiving funding: the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP), and the Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP).

Here in Mississsauga, the feds are putting $125,000 into the City’s Climate Change Action Plan.

“We are taking action to help fight climate change and reduce pollution. That’s why we’re developing a Climate Change Action Plan to help prepare Mississauga for the impacts of a changing global climate,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

“The plan will have two key goals: reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase our capacity to deal with and respond to future climate events, as well as position the city and our businesses to compete in the low carbon economy, to create new jobs and open new markets.”

The City of Mississauga is overseeing this project under the MCIP.

“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in local infrastructure to support municipalities as they plan, build and maintain their infrastructure more strategically,” said the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, in a recent statement.

“Our investments in green infrastructure will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to a clean growth economy and strengthen the middle class, helping us plan and build the infrastructure of the 21st century.”

The city says it’s already moved forward on a number of climate-conscious initiatives, such as:

• Expanded Transit: Transit expansions have totaled 58,000 tonnes of CO2 avoided annually or the equivalent of removing 11,700 cars off the road.
• One Million Trees: Trees are essential in the effort to reduce the heat island effect and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. The City’s goal is to plant one million trees by 2032. To date, almost 300,000 trees have been planted as a part of this program.
• Improved  Energy Efficiency of City Facilities: Mississauga Civic Centre has been awarded ENERGY STAR® industry certification for 2018 by Natural Resources Canada. Over the past six years the Civic Centre has reduced its energy use by 17 per cent. That’s the equivalent energy use of 2,000 LED street lamps for one year.

Ultimately, the 159 projects across the country aim to create “a clean growth economy and strengthens the middle class by ensuring communities are healthy and sustainable places to live,” reads the release from the federal government.

The MCIP is particular provides funding, training, and information sharing for municipalities.

According to the federal government, it’s set to help cities prepare for and adapt to climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And, it’s a five-year, $75 million program delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.

Under the MCIP, project across Canada are getting upto $125,000 in funding, so Mississauga’s investment is on the highest possible end.

What do you think of the investment?