The Media Room
Natural Resources Canada
2010/76
October 5, 2010
Government of Canada Announces Funding to EQuilibriumTM Communities Project in Ottawa
OTTAWA — A South Ottawa development today received Government of Canada funding to help improve the planning and design of a healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable community. Local Member of Parliament Pierre Poilievre announced $550,000 in funding under the EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources.
“We look forward to working with Minto to see the Ampersand neighbourhood build upon the EQuilibrium Communities Initiative,” said Pierre Poilievre, Member of Parliament for Nepean–Carleton. “Ampersand is planned to be a compact, mixed-use community that targets affordability with energy and water efficiency. Canadians, the building industry and the environment will benefit from the lessons learned on this project.”
Located within Ottawa’s Chapman Mills Town Centre, Ampersand is planned to be a neighbourhood that includes homes, commercial space and public parks, all within walking distance of rapid transit. Other proposed features of the project include: affordable purchase prices; reduced storm water run-off through the use of permeable pavements and green roofs; and targeted net-zero energy consumption.
Through the support of the EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative, the Minto Group will explore options for renewable energy, green financing, and water use reduction and on-site treatment for the Ampersand project.
“We look forward to sharing the knowledge gained from this project to advance best practices within the industry,” said Andrew Pride, Vice-President, Minto Green Team.
The EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative is led jointly and equally funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Natural Resources Canada’s ecoENERGY Technology Initiative, a component of the Government of Canada’s ecoACTION initiative.
For further information on the EQuilibriumTM Communities Initiative, please visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca/equilibrium-eng.cfm.
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Richard Walker
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Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
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Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
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Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
819-997-0249
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CMHC Media Relations
613-748-2799
csauriol@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
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