Pelham residents to benefit from new zero-carbon library 

From: Infrastructure Canada

News release

Pelham, Ontario, September 2, 2022—Today, Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, announced $5.4 million in federal funding for the construction of a new library in Pelham.    

“Investing in community and recreational infrastructure is essential to creating communities that are welcoming, inclusive, and sustainable. Today’s announcement for the new Pelham library will ensure that all residents have access to a modern facility where they can safely connect and learn for many years to come,” said Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.

“The Government of Canada is committed to building a greener and healthier future for Canadians across the country. Projects like this one help create exciting opportunities for residents while helping us achieve our goal of reaching zero emissions by 2050,” said Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines.    

“This announcement is a great example of what government can do, working in partnership.  With generous federal support, the Town of Pelham will now be able to replace a facility that while beautiful, has aged badly. The community can look forward to high quality library programming and materials in a comfortable, convenient environment at the MCC.  I think of this as the cherry on top of the sundae that is the MCC. A great day for Pelham,” said His Worship Marvin Junkin, Mayor of the Town of Pelham.

Funding will support the construction of a new 18,000 square foot zero-carbon library located near the town’s existing community centre. The new three-story facility will include accessibility features and green energy and climate resiliency components, such as solar panels, glazing, and abundant natural lighting.

Once complete, the new library will serve as a community hub where residents can come together and learn. 

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada is investing over $5.4 million through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

  • Federal funding for this project is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous communities and environmental assessment. Funding for this project is also conditional on the signing of the contribution agreement.

  • The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings 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 Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program are invited to apply on the Infrastructure Canada website. 

  • 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.

  • 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 and funded on a rolling intake basis. 

  • 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

For more information (media only), please contact:

Kelly Ouimet
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
343-552-3420
Kelly.Ouimet@iga-aig.gc.ca

Amanda Deschenes
Special Events & Festivals Programmer
Town of Pelham
905-732-7890
adeschenes@pelham.ca

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

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