Learn English with Alberta s Environment Minister Shep Gibbons. Minister Gibbons announces $18 million to help communities across the province become more energy efficient, and of course, reduce their costs. The money will be used through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, or MCCAC, and will help communities access support for energy conservation, emissions reduction, and much more.
00:00:00.080We continue to be committed to reducing emissions and becoming more energy efficient here in Alberta,
00:00:05.360but of course this cannot come at the cost of affordability for everyday Albertans,
00:00:10.640especially given the inflationary pressures that Canadians across our country are struggling with
00:00:15.680today. Sometimes it feels like Ottawa is announcing new regulations and rules every week, adding more
00:00:21.120and more costs onto Alberta's industries, municipalities, and the families who call
00:00:26.080these communities home. We often do not hear Minister Gibault tell Albertans how much their bills
00:00:31.600and taxes will go up when he announces these new policies and we certainly don't hear the Prime
00:00:36.080Minister mention how much his latest scheme will add to communities that are simply trying to keep
00:00:41.040the lights on in their buildings, their arenas like we're in today, and rec centres. Every day Albertans
00:00:47.440and Canadians have been forced to pick up the tab on their bills and of course on their taxes. New
00:00:52.960press releases and fancy slogans do not help Albertans pay their power bills. The truth is
00:00:58.240that emissions reduction requires investments and becoming more energy efficient just doesn't
00:01:04.240happen overnight. Our government believes in helping and supporting communities, not adding unnecessary
00:01:10.160costs. We believe in creating jobs, not chasing them away. And when it comes to reducing emissions,
00:01:16.080we believe in practical approaches that make our communities and our province stronger.
00:01:20.800We believe in the city of Calgary, we believe in the city of Calgary, the city of Calgary has been
00:01:26.080a community hub in Calgary for the last 50 years. More than half a million people walk through its doors
00:01:32.640every single year. They enjoy thousands of hours of ice time. As a hockey parent, I can attest to that,
00:01:39.440and host more than a dozen festivals and events every single year. Two years ago, when the city of Calgary wanted to upgrade Max Bell's lights,
00:01:46.800they put in new electrical systems and made other energy efficiency upgrades. That came with a price tag of nearly $150,000.
00:01:54.800That's a lot for any city to afford, but think of the impact that that has on smaller communities and towns across our province.
00:02:02.800Our government was able to step up to help through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, or MCCAC as it is more commonly known,
00:02:10.800covering over 75% of that bill, more than $111,000. These improvements have saved the facility $7,000 in costs every single year, and reduced its emissions by 43 tons annually.
00:02:24.800We know that energy efficient upgrades are expensive, and it can be hard for communities to cover the full upfront costs, especially now, when the cost of living continues to rise.
00:02:36.800That's why I'm very excited to announce we're investing $18 million to help communities across the province become more energy efficient, and of course reduce their costs.
00:02:46.800This new funding is delivered through the MCCAC, and will be used to create new programs that will help communities access support for energy conservation, emissions reduction, and much more.
00:02:58.800Communities big and small, rural and urban, will all be able to access these programs.
00:03:03.800This is about helping communities hire staff to do this important work, replace windows, upgrade lights, and make practical and innovative improvements to arenas, community centres, and other buildings.
00:03:15.800As Environment Minister here in Alberta, and of course as the former Minister of Municipal Affairs, I appreciate the willingness of Alberta's municipalities and local leaders to work with us on any challenge.
00:03:27.800And I can tell you that this is absolutely no exception.
00:03:30.800They are innovators, they are committed to their residents, and they are working hard to become more energy efficient and reduce emissions.
00:03:37.800But of course they can't do it alone, and this $18 million in new funding will help make that work a little bit easier.
00:03:43.800I look forward to seeing all of the programs and projects that result from this funding, and I sure look forward to celebrating those successes with you.