TOFINO,
BC, May 15, 2024 /CNW/ - A new net-zero carbon
facility is coming to Clayoquot Sound after an investment of
over $7.1 million from the federal
government, the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society, private, and
corporate contributions.
Announced by Minister Jonathan
Wilkinson and the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, the Clayoquot
Sound Biosphere Centre will provide Tofino, Ucluelet, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation,
Ahousaht, Hesquiaht First Nation, Ucluelet First Nation, and
Toquaht Nation with a shared space to learn, teach, and
collaborate.
Some of the features are indoor and outdoor teaching spaces to
serve residents and offer interpretive programs for visitors to
learn about the significance of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere
Region. There will also be a teaching kitchen, where traditional
harvest methods and other culinary training programs will attempt
to address food security within the area.
Clayoquot Sound is home to one of Canada's 19 United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) biosphere regions.
Biosphere regions are sites of natural beauty dedicated to
conserving biodiversity, sustainable development, climate action,
and reconciliation. The centre will also serve as a UNESCO Visitor
Centre to unite people through learning, culture, conservation,
science, and research, generating a legacy of social
responsibility, environmental sustainability, and economic
resiliency.
Quotes
"The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre will be a valuable asset
to Tofino and area in terms of
reconciliation, cultural understanding, economic development, and
environmental conservation. The Biosphere Centre will facilitate
important programming, dialogue, and learning opportunities for
local Nuu-chah-nulth peoples and other communities in the region,
as well as for visitors. We will continue to invest in a brighter
future for Canadians by supporting projects that encourage
collaboration, innovation, and the adoption of more sustainable
practices."
Minister Jonathan Wilkinson,
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of the
Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and
Communities
"The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre is a climate-smart, mass
timber building that promotes sustainable economic development and
ecological preservation. It is a remarkable project from B.C.'s
Mass Timber Demonstration Program—a community and research hub
inspired by historic First Nation architecture that encapsulates
UNESCO's goals of promoting education, science and culture.
Clayoquot Sound is one of the most beautiful and unique ecosystems
in the world and soon it will have an incredible centre that
assists in making people, and the ecosystem, thrive."
Brenda Bailey, British Columbia's Minister of Jobs, Economic
Development and Innovation
"We are profoundly grateful for the grant funding from
Infrastructure Canada through the Green and Inclusive Community
Buildings program. With this support, we can realize our Biosphere
Centre vision - a safe and inclusive community space to deliver
education and research programs, support economic development,
practice sustainable tourism, and drive social innovation. Built
with sustainability at the forefront, we look forward to
demonstrating green building technology locally and inspiring
innovation among UNESCO biosphere regions globally through this
transformational project."
Naomi Mack and Nicky Ling, Co-chairs, Clayoquot Biosphere
Trust
"We're excited to be moving forward with the construction of the
Biosphere Centre. Following the invitation to situate the building
in Tla-o-qui-aht territory, we've focused on incorporating
community input to the building design and function. We're grateful
for the knowledge and feedback from our partners that has shaped
the vision for this much needed public space, which will become a
home for diverse community-led programs, projects, and events that
continue to move us forward on the pathway to equity and
reconciliation."
Rebecca Hurwitz, Executive
Director, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $7,172,318 in this project through the Green and
Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. The Government of
British Columbia announced a
$300,00 contribution from the Mass
Timber Demonstration Program on July 12,
2023.
- The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy
Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan's
first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing
energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate
change.
- The program is providing $1.5
billion over five years towards green and accessible
retrofits, repairs, or upgrades.
- At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First
Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous
populations in urban centres.
- The application period for the Green and Inclusive Community
Buildings Program is now closed.
Associated Links
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-bc-eng.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada