The Media Room
Natural Resources Canada
2010/84
November 4, 2010
Government of Canada Announces Funding for EQuilibrium™ Communities Project in Toronto
OTTAWA — Today, a Toronto development is receiving Government of Canada support for the planning and design of a healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable community in the Regent Park area. 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, announced $550,000 under the EQuilibrium™ Communities Initiative.
“Once completed, this community will be a model for other Canadian cities, offering affordable options for occupants while minimizing the impact on the environment for future generations,” said Minister Finley. “The Regent Park revitalization demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration between different levels of government and the private sector.”
The Regent Park revitalization will transform Canada’s oldest and largest social housing community into a mixed-income community for 5,100 households in Toronto’s east downtown.
“Sustainable communities, such as the Regent Park revitalization, that use clean energy technologies and energy-efficient designs can improve the quality of life of Canadians while preserving our environment,” said Minister Paradis. “EQuilibrium Communities’ support will help the project in its development of a district energy system that will reduce greenhouse gases by an estimated 13,000 tonnes per year.”
Energy-efficient features include efficient building envelopes, lighting, appliances and mechanical systems, as well as a community energy system that will provide high-efficiency heating and cooling to the 69-acre development. The community has exceptional access to public transit, jobs, civic amenities and daily destinations ─ all within walking distance.
“The revitalization of Regent Park is a significant investment in the future of Toronto,” said Keiko Nakamura, CEO of Toronto Community Housing. “The EQuilibrium Communities Initiative helps us do our part to build a better Toronto for everyone by building green and more sustainable communities. In addition to the design improvements, a key element of the project will be educating residents about energy and water efficiency.”
The EQuilibrium™ Communities Initiative is led jointly and equally funded by the 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 EQuilibrium™ Communities Initiative, please visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca/equilibrium-eng.cfm.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Diane Finley and Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis today announced $550,000 in funding under the EQuilibrium™ Communities Initiative for the Regent Park Revitalization in Toronto, Ontario. The funding is part of Government of Canada efforts to support improvements in the environmental performance of Canadian residential developments.
Media may contact:
Richard Walker
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
819-997-0249
Charles Sauriol
CMHC Media Relations
613-748-2799
csauriol@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php:
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php.
CMHC’s news releases and backgrounders are available at www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.