OTTAWA - Communities across Canada will benefit from better energy efficiency and improved environmental impact, thanks to a new initiative launched today by the Government of Canada. The new $4.2- million, EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative will seek to improve community planning and develop healthy sustainable communities that are energy-efficient, economically viable and vibrant places to live.
The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, and Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today at the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology.
"Our Government is investing in more than just clusters of energy-efficient homes - we're creating cost-efficient, sustainable neighbourhoods," said Minister Raitt. "Building communities that use new, clean-energy technologies will create high-quality jobs for Canadians while protecting and preserving our environment."
The EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative will provide financial, technical and promotional assistance to sustainable community projects chosen through a national competition. It will showcase the talents and innovation of Canadian residential developers, planners, designers and municipalities. The initiative is being led and funded equally by NRCan and CMHC.
"The EQuilibrium Communities Initiative will highlight the talents and innovation of Canadian residential developers, planners, designers and municipalities as leaders in sustainable housing and community development," said Mr. Komarnicki. "These communities will integrate sustainable housing, infrastructure and land-use planning to help Canadians balance their housing needs with those of the natural environment."
A call for project submissions will be issued this summer, inviting developers, with their teams of planners, designers, and municipalities, to submit project proposals. Winning teams will develop and showcase neighbourhoods that are more sustainable and energy efficient than most existing communities. Improvements will be achieved in the areas of energy use, water efficiency, environmental protection, land-use planning, clean-energy transportation and affordable housing.
Communities across Canada will benefit from better energy efficiency and improved environmental impact, thanks to a new initiative launched today by the Government of Canada. The new $4.2 million, EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative will seek to improve community planning and develop healthy sustainable communities that are energy-efficient, economically viable and vibrant places to live. A call for project submissions from developers will be issued this summer.
Media may contact:
Jasmine MacDonnell
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
Michelle Bakos
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada
819-994-2482
Kristen Scheel
CMHC Media Relations
Ottawa
613-748-2799
The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media:
- EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
CMHC's news releases and backgrounders are available at
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.
