Today, the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, was joined by Scott Simms, the Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays – Central – Notre Dame, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, to announce approximately $4.7 million in joint federal-provincial funding to support climate action projects in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor and the Gander International Airport Authority from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, specifically the Climate Change Challenge Fund.
The Town of Gander is receiving over $794,000 from the Provincial Government and approximately $953,000 from the Government of Canada to redesign the Steele Community Centre ice plant, install a thermal solar wall on the Community Centre, and heat pumps at the Public Works Depot.
The Provincial Government is contributing approximately $253,000 and the Government of Canada will provide over $303,000 to the Town of Grand Falls – Windsor to make various energy-efficiency upgrades, including the heat recovery at two ice plants; the replacement of oil heaters with heat pumps at the Joe Byrne stadium; upgrades to the municipal building energy controls; and the installation of a solar wall at the Public Works Depot.
The Gander International Airport Authority is receiving approximately $926,000 from the Provincial Government and over $1.4 million from the Government of Canada for energy-efficiency upgrades and fuel switching. Improvements include the installation of a geothermal heat pump system; replacement of a steam boiler and a steam heat exchanger for a hot-water system; retrofits to the heat exchanger controls; and an upgrade to the perimeter of the heating controls.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Climate Change Challenge Fund is a competitive grant-based program to fund greenhouse gas reduction projects. This fund supports capital projects that lower greenhouse gas emissions. The program was opened to organizations of all sizes across commercial, municipal, not-for-profit sectors, and Indigenous governments and organizations.
The province’s Climate Change Challenge Fund will receive up to $19.9 million through the federal Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, an increase from the previously announced total of $11.4 million in response to strong interest in the Climate Change Challenge Fund.
Quotes
“We are proud to support these projects as we collectively work to mitigate the effects of climate change. These upgrades in Gander and Grand Falls – Windsor and at the Gander International Airport Authority will help meet environmental needs by using less energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“The Government of Canada is proud to support innovative projects that reduce emissions and create good jobs. Today’s announcements highlight some of the important work Canadian municipalities like Town of Gander, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor as well as Gander International Airport Authority are doing to build a stronger, healthier future. It is leadership and good projects like this one that will help Canada exceed its 2030 Paris Agreement target and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“The Town of Gander is pleased to partner in this community investment. It sees the town upgrade to high efficiency lighting, heating systems, and arena ice plant. We have funded 100 per cent of the upgrades from outside funding and energy savings. Unique and innovative technologies, such as the solar wall on the Steele Community Centre, provides a model of how environmental stewardship and financial viability can be achieved simultaneously. A true win win!”
Percy Farwelll, Mayor, Town of Gander
“The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor is pleased to receive this funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for making several of our town facilities greener and more efficient. As leaders in our community, it is important for us to encourage our residents to take proactive steps towards becoming more environmentally friendly. We need to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future for all.”
Barry Manuel
Mayor, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
“The airport authority welcomes this important investment from the Federal and Provincial governments. This will allow us to re-life aging building systems to drive efficiency and reduce emissions. This retrofit will financial, operational and environmental benefits.”
Reg Wright
President and CEO, Gander International Airport
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Learn more
Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund
Canada’s strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy
Media contacts
Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449, 691-9446
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
ec.media.ec@canada.ca
Brad Hefford
Town of Gander
709-651-5901
bhefford@gandercanada.com
Robyn Hannaford
Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
709-489-0173, 689-3682
communications@townofgfw.com
Brian Hicks
Gander International Airport Authority
709-256-6668
hicksb@giann.nf.ca