Green Municipal Funds

Country	Canada
Year Implemented	2000
Policy Status	Superseded
Date Promulgated	1999
Date Effective	2000
Agency	•Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
Funding	C$125 million
Policy Superseded by	Doubling of Green Municipal Funds
Policy Type	•Education and Outreach   •Advice/Aid in Implementation •Financial   •Funds to Sub-National Governments •Incentives/Subsidies   •Grants   •Preferential Loans •Public Investment   •Infrastructure Investment •Regulatory Instruments   •Auditing/Benchmarking •Voluntary Agreement
Description	In the 2000 federal budget, the government established two complementary funds to stimulate investment in innovative municipal infrastructure projects and environmental practices for Canadian municipal governments and their public and private sector partners. The government is providing CAN$ 250 million to encourage projects and studies in communities. The funds leverage investments from municipal, provincial and territorial governments, and stimulate public and private partnerships. There are two funds: the Green Municipal Enabling Fund (GMEF) – CAN$ 50 million; and the Green Municipal Investment Fund (GMIF) – CAN$ 200 million. GMEF provides grants for cost-shared feasibility studies to improve the quality of air, water and soil through greater energy efficiency, the sustainable use of renewable and non-renewable resources and more efficient water, waste and waste-water management. GMIF supports the implementation of innovative environmental projects. Through GMIF, a municipal government can borrow at preferred interest rates of 1.5% below the Bank of Canada bond rate. Partners are also eligible for loans at attractive rates. The Fund also provides grant funding for pilot projects with significant environmental impact and replication on a regional or national basis.
URL	www.fcm.ca