the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program funds four projects enhancing climate change resiliency in Montréal
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Vicki‑May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), announced a near $2.8 million investment for four projects, funded by the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program.
“Our government is committed to investing in projects that support a more strategic and sustainable approach to planning, building and maintaining public infrastructure in response to the impacts of climate change. Through partnerships like the one we have with FCM, we are helping provide solid modern, green and resilient 21st-century infrastructure across the country. The investments we are announcing today in the Greater Montréal area will make it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help to build a strong and healthy middle class,” said Champagne.
In Montréal, the Ruelles bleues-vertes project’s objective is to relieve the pressure of rainwater on municipal infrastructure in the Sud-Ouest borough.
According to FCM, the city’s underwater drainage network was not designed to handle extreme rain events that cause overflow and flooding. This project aims to redirect water from roof drains into alleyways, and plant vegetation.
The city of Boucherville is building a new environmentally responsible park-and-ride facility, located at the intersection of de Montarville Boulevard and Highway 132 East.
The lot will have 230 spots facilitating and encouraging the use of alternate modes of transportation. It will also foster a modal shift (single occupant car-bus) during work on the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel.
Laval will venture into demineralization operations and planting more than 7,000 plants to help lower the surrounding temperature, reduce the impact of urban heat islands to protect vulnerable populations.
The city of Beloeil will integrate green infrastructure into the redevelopment of Duvernay Street to allow rainwater to filter naturally into the soil, lower ambient heat, and revitalize the commercial strip.
This includes two charging stations for electric vehicles, planting 200 trees and installing urban furniture, and implementing bicycle racks to promote green travel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change. That means local action is critical. Municipalities of all sizes are modelling local green solutions that can be replicated and scaled up across the country for deep national impact. This is what today’s announcement is all about – orders of government working together to build better lives for Canadians,” Hamm.