June 1, 2009
Government of Canada Launches New Sustainable Communities Initiative
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.
