Town, TRCA get support for eco-business park through government and FCM

July 17, 2013 · 0 Comments

The federal government and Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) have announced a Green Municipal FundTM (GMF) contribution for Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Town of Caledon. The $93,335 grant will help TRCA and the Town develop sustainable development guidelines for new employment land areas
The Town will use the experience of TRCA’s Pearson eco-business zone to accelerate its own learning and adoption of eco-business principles.
Chandra Sharma, watershed specialist and senior manager for climate change programs with TRCA, said the program around Pearson International Airport has been going on for about four years, and has been a “very successful project.”
Funded by Peel Region and the Airport, she said it’s been encouraging wastewater and energy efficiencies among some 13,000 small and medium businesses within an area of about 1,200 hectares.
She said they are looking at a model that can be replicated in other areas as a way to encourage sustainable development. In Caledon, this could be applied to new employment lands.
“It aligns well with their sustainability objectives,” Sharma commented, adding they’re looking to create an enabling environment to attract business.
She added they are not focusing on any one area of town, since it can apply to any employment lands in Caledon.
This will allow the Town to be home to the first greenfield eco-business zone in Ontario. Tools and best practices will be developed to minimize environmental impacts, attract companies with a sustainability focus and create jobs.
The Town will work with TRCA on the implementation of the eco-business principles.
“The Caledon Eco-Business Park project is a great example of what can be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration, and another important step towards more responsible urban development,” said TRCA Chief Executive Officer Brian Denney.
“We are pleased to be working in partnership with TRCA,” said Mayor Marolyn Morrison. “With their guidance and the funding support from FCM, Caledon will continue to be a leader in providing a sustainable environment for our private and corporate citizens.”
“The Harper Government is assisting municipalities across the country in achieving their goal of a cleaner and healthier environment for Canadians through the Green Municipal Fund,” said Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver. “Today’s announcement is another example of how our government — in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — is helping TRCA and the Town of Caledon build a greener future for their citizens.”
“The Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that specifically address the sustainable community development needs of municipal governments,” said FCM President Claude Dauphin. “The financing and knowledge provided by the Fund supports the development of communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.”
The federal government endowed the FCM with $550 million to establish the Green Municipal Fund. It supports partnerships and leveraging of both public and private-sector funding to reach higher standards of air, water and soil quality, and climate protection.