PEEPEEKISIS CREE NATION,
SK, June 27, 2024 /CNW/ - The Peepeekisis
Pesakastew School is getting green retrofits after an
investment of more than $2.5 million
from the federal government.
The upgrades include replacing light fixtures, windows, and
skylights. The school will also install photovoltaic panels, which
have the ability to convert thermal energy into electricity. These
upgrades will make the building more energy efficient while
reducing its environmental impact. They will also allow the school
to serve as a safe shelter for the community during power
outages.
Quotes
"Reliable infrastructure in local buildings is key to building
stronger and more resilient communities. These improvements to the
Pesakastew School will foster learning, culture, and the
empowerment of the Peepeekisis Cree Nation community while better
protecting our environment. The federal government will continue
working with partners to create safe and sustainable spaces for
community members."
The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs,
Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and Minister responsible for
CanNor, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
"Human activities have been the main driver of climate change
for years, increasing our knowledge of ways to hold our community
accountable to the environment has never been as important as it is
now. Applying this green project to our school will teach our
younger generations that we all have to share the responsibility of
taking care of Mother Earth."
Principal David Still,
Peepeekisis Pesakastew School, Peepeekisis Cree Nation
Quick facts
- The federal government is investing $2,518,291 in this project through the Green and
Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.
- These enhancements are expected to reduce the facility's energy
consumption by an estimated 37.8% and greenhouse gas emissions by
140 tonnes annually.
- The GICB program aims to improve the places Canadians work,
learn, play, live and come together by cutting pollution and
reducing costs..
- Through green and other upgrades to existing public community
buildings and new builds in underserved communities, the GICB
program helps ensure community facilities are inclusive,
accessible, and have a long service life, while also helping
Canada move towards its net-zero
objectives by 2050.
- The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: a Healthy
Environment and a Healthy Economy, supporting the Plan's first
pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy
efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate
change.
- The program initially provided $1.5
billion over five years towards green and accessible
retrofits, repairs or upgrades.
- Budget 2024 announced an additional $500
million to support more projects through GICB until
2029.
- At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First
Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous
populations in urban centres.
- On December 18, 2023, the federal
government launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy,
which highlights the need for a collaborative, region-specific
approach to sustainability, focusing on strengthening the
coordination of federal programs, and initiatives with significant
investments. This Framework is a first step in a journey that will
bring together multiple stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the
federal department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian
prairies, has dedicated $100 million
over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas
identified by Prairie stakeholders to build a stronger, more
sustainable, and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and
Canada.
- Infrastructure Canada is
supporting the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to
encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities,
leverage additional funding, and attract new investments across the
Prairies that better meet their needs.
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 Saskatchewan
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-sk-eng.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy Act
https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/B-9.88/page-1.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy
https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/programs/green-prairie-economy.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada