The Government of Canada invests in energy efficiency improvements to Salishan Place by The River arts, culture, and heritage centre in Langley

From: Infrastructure Canada

News release

Township of Langley, British Columbia, August 5, 2022—Today, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City in British Columbia. on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, announced $777,618 in funding towards energy efficiency upgrades to Salishan Place by the River, a cultural centre in the Township of Langley, which is currently being built in partnership with q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) First Nation and with the participation of the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), Màthxwi (Matsqui) and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) First Nations.

“Salishan Place by the River will benefit the local community by providing a safe, multifunctional space to gather and practice traditional Indigenous customs, and promote wellness. The commitment to building a sustainable facility is a reflection of the local Indigenous communities’ intimate relationship with, and knowledge of, the natural environment. Our government is proud to be a part of this project,” said John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale–Langley City, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.

“We continue to be honoured and excited to be part of this important project of Salishan - we value our relationship with the Township of Langley and our neighbouring family communities of Katzie, Matsqui and Semiahmoo. We look forward to working together, yayestel’ and sharing within this space. We are very grateful for all of the funding support for this project to date,” said Marilyn Gabriel, Chief of Kwantlen First Nation.

“We are very grateful for the support received from the Federal Government for this new arts, culture, and heritage facility. With numerous green initiatives implemented into its design and construction, we are excited for this amazing indoor and outdoor gathering place to open and welcome visitors from across the region,” said Jack Froese, Mayor of the Township of Langley.

The funding announced today will support green upgrades such as geothermal, ground-source heat pumps and conversion to electric heating systems. Environmentally sustainable enhancements to the cultural centre will reduce the building’s energy consumption by over 60% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 128 tonnes annually. 

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada is investing $777,618 in this project through the Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. 

  • The GICB program is an integral part of Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan, providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada. 

  • At least 10 percent of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

  • Provincial/territorial governments, municipal or regional governments, public sector bodies, not-for-profit, and Indigenous organizations interested in the GICB program are invited to apply on the Infrastructure Canada website. 

  • The project announced today is funded through GICB’s continuous intake program, Applicants with small and medium retrofit projects to existing community buildings ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999 will be accepted on a continuous basis and funded on a rolling intake basis.

  • Applicants with large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million were accepted through a competitive intake process which closed on July 6, 2021. A second intake is anticipated later in 2022, however, the date has not yet been determined. Details about the second intake will be published to the Infrastructure Canada – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings’ website as soon as they become available.

  • Announced in December 2020, Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan includes 64 new measures and $15 billion in investments towards a healthy environment and economy.

Associated links

Contacts

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
343-574-8116
Jean-Sebastien.Comeau@iga-aig.gc.ca

Peter Tulumello
Director, Arts, Culture & Community Initiatives Division
Township of Langley
604.533.6158
ptulumello@tol.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca
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