Today, the Government of Canada announced it would invest $87,000 to help the Town of Whitby identify energy-saving opportunities for its municipal buildings and vehicle fleet. Through this investment, the government aims to improve energy efficiency in the community and provide more clean job opportunities to the people of Whitby.
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Whitby leveraging the benefits of energy efficiency
Ryan Turnbull, Member of Parliament for Whitby, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, announced the investment, which is part of the federal funding provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Manager Program.
“We are proud to support the Town of Whitby and help make their buildings more energy-efficient and affordable,” said Ryan Turnbull, Member of Parliament for Whitby. Thus, “working together, we can improve how we use energy while reducing emissions and sustaining the buildings we value.”
Similarly, Whitby will be investing $83,000 toward the project for a total of $170,000.
Accordingly, these investments will support energy improvements and assessments, mainly including the analysis of 20 municipal buildings. Worth noting, Whitby will update recreation centers and fire halls and transform them into pinpoint areas. Particularly, to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Prior to the final investment decision, the city conducted a study on energy-saving measures. Thus, several steps were identified for every facility with the potential of cutting emissions by 30 percent.
For instance, the energy-efficiency upgrades supported by this project include insulation and airtightness heating and cooling equipment. Also, renewable energy retrofits, and lighting.
Part of Canada’s commitment to the energy transition
“Whitby is determined to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Don Mitchell, Mayor, Town of Whitby. Therefore, “my thanks to MP Turnbull and the Government of Canada for this important investment; which will help us identify energy-saving opportunities at our facilities and in our fleet. In fact, this supports our Whitby Green Standard and Zero Carbon Strategy; which are essential to achieving our goal to reduce our corporate emissions by 100% by 2045.”
Additionally, a review of Whitby’s 474 vehicle fleet identified ways to reduce diesel fuel consumption and led to the Zero Carbon Whitby Plan. Accordingly, this Plan recommends GHG reduction targets and a carbon management framework to help build sustainability in business practices.
Finally, the government pointed out it supports green infrastructure projects that will create good, middle-class jobs. Besides, the administration is looking forward to advancing Canada’s low-carbon future and helping achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
In this sense, The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, commented, “Climate change is measured globally but felt locally. So, we’re helping communities like Whitby build a clean energy future, support local jobs, and lower emissions.”
