• Through its five funding sectors, GMF helps to enhance the quality of life of Canadians by improving air, water and soil quality and protecting the climate.

• GMF is a key player in supporting environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure investments and offers municipalities a valuable opportunity to leverage funding in conjunction with other federal and provincial infrastructure programs

• Studies funded by GMF are highly “incremental” (most would not have been carried out without GMF funding) and they are providing important information to municipalities. GMF is also a critical source of support for capital projects — only about 25 per cent of the projects funded would have gone ahead without GMF’s support.

• GMF funding has made a direct contribution to helping Canadian municipalities achieve their environmentally sustainable objectives.

• GMF has implemented numerous efforts to engage and understand the needs of its municipal stakeholders as a means to continually improve its program funding and achieve results for municipalities across Canada.

The economic climate was top of mind for Canadians in 2009 and will continue to be a
priority in 2010. The federal government responded to the recession with an economic stimulus package that has resulted in the creation of several new programs aimed at infrastructure. Many of these programs require cost-sharing from municipalities and this provides another opportunity for us to help — GMF funding is stackable against federal funding and can be considered as the municipal share for eligible infrastructure projects.

We are now just days away from the 2010 FCM Sustainable Communities Conference
and Trade Show, to be held February 10–12 at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, where FCM will welcome over 600 participants from across the country at the premier municipal conference on sustainable community development. Our 2010 theme — Growing the Green Economy: Practical Solutions for Sustainable Communities — is particularly relevant to municipal concerns about revitalizing local economies and job creation. The conference will feature a variety of sessions including interactive workshops, sustainability clinics, debates and inspirational keynote speakers.

If there is a green resolution on your municipality’s list for 2010, GMF is ready to help you achieve your goal. In the current economic climate, GMF funding can play an important role in kick-starting municipal stimulus projects and other green infrastructure initiatives. I wish you a sustainable 2010 and look forward to sharing more information on GMF’s work with you in the next newsletter.



Karen Leibovici
Chair, Green Municipal Fund Council