Catherine McKenna, Canada’s minister of environment and climate change, recently announced a $22-million investment for the Ottawa Community Foundation to establish an urban climate centre in Ottawa.

“As our climate changes, people in cities and communities across Canada are coming up with practical, affordable solutions,” said McKenna. “The global market for climate solutions is worth trillions of dollars — so by investing in local climate solutions, we can help Canadian workers and companies succeed in the biggest economic opportunity of our generation. Establishing an urban climate centre here in Ottawa will also help make Ottawa’s homes and buildings more energy-efficient, while keeping life affordable and supporting good local jobs.”

The Ottawa Community Foundation will operate the new Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3)— one of seven new centres across Canada that are helping reduce the business risks associated with developing new technologies to help cleantech and climate solutions get to market sooner. This investment will also help establish a network across Canada that supports community leadership to improve energy efficiency and put practical climate solutions into action.

“With this strategic investment, we are well positioned to apply our expertise in endowment management and our solid relationships with local partners to contribute to the success of Ottawa’s LC3 Centre,” said Marco Pagani, president and chief executive officer of the Ottawa Community Foundation. “Together, we will pursue solutions that dramatically reduce carbon emissions, create local economic opportunities and help build our resilience to climate impacts. The centre will support research, education, advocacy and action to ease policy, regulatory, financial, and other barriers to practical solutions.”

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The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund will serve as the national centre for the LC3 program. Announced in Budget 2019, LC3 is part of Canada’s $1.01-billion plan to reduce carbon pollution by making communities more energy-efficient. It will leverage federal investments to collaborate with private investors, public agencies, utilities, non-profit organizations, and other levels of government to build long-term clean energy solutions.

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