Canada’s Gas Tax Fund supports innovation at community pools
Delta, British Columbia, February 22, 2012 – Delta will soon benefit from solar hot water systems at three of its recreational pools thanks to federal support from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund. Incorporating this solar hot water technology will assist Delta to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, one of the key goals outlined in its Corporate Climate Change Initiative.
“Our government is proud to deliver permanent annual infrastructure funding for municipalities through Canada's Gas Tax Fund,” said Kerry-Lynne Findlay, MP for Delta-Richmond East and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Investing in infrastructure creates jobs and economic growth, and the Gas Tax Fund delivers long-term funding to provide greater certainty and flexibility for communities to choose their own infrastructure priorities. By using solar power, Delta will save on heating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Corporation of Delta will use $348,000 from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund to integrate solar hot water systems into three existing pools: an indoor pool at the Ladner Leisure Centre, and outdoor community pools in North Delta and Ladner.
“Delta continues to build on the success of our solar hot water system at Municipal Hall,” said Lois E. Jackson, Mayor of Delta. “We are so pleased to have the support of the federal government and UBCM to build on our success and bring greater attention to this technology throughout our community. It is critical we continue with initiatives that demonstrate sustainable and renewable energy such as solar hot water technology.”
Delta has an established reputation as a leader in the use of solar technology. In 2009, Delta was the first municipality in Metro Vancouver to install a solar hot water system in a municipal hall. As well, in May 2010, Delta was officially designated as a Solar Community by the Province of British Columbia.
As a municipality striving to utilize innovative and sustainable energy sources, Delta has made regulatory changes to its bylaws to permit the installation of solar hot water systems and continues to investigate opportunities to expand the use of solar hot water within the community.
“Using solar power to heat public recreation pools is a practical and innovative application of Gas Tax Funds,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “Such a project will assist Delta – a signatory to the B.C. Climate Action Charter – in achieving their commitment to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions.”
Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. This program primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment.
“BC local governments are taking great strides to reduce emissions from our operations,” said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. “The Gas Tax Fund is playing a critical role in helping communities upgrade facilities with energy efficient technology.”
Work on all three solar hot water projects is expected to get underway this spring.
For further information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information:
Pierre Floréa
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-208-4028
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Lauren Munden
Communications Advisor
The Corporation of Delta
604-946-3244
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
