The government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are investing in smart sustainable solutions across the country.
On July 15, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources and Taneen Rudyk, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, announced a C$98,500 (US$75,732) investment to the St. Catharines Transit Commission (SCTC) through FCM's Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to support the electrification of its transit fleet.
"Today's investments will provide St. Catharines and Thorold with the support needed to undertake a crucial step toward an electrified public transit network,” Minister Wilkinson said. “The government of Canada is pleased to be supporting these innovative and important assessments to ensure that the increased deployment of zero-emission vehicles and buses is completed in the most impactful manner - to lower emissions and build cleaner, more affordable neighborhoods."
The SCTC, which provides bus services to the city of St. Catharines and the neighboring city of Thorold, will conduct a technical and financial assessment to create an efficient and impactful plan for converting the conventional diesel-dependent fleet to battery-powered electric buses.
Electrifying SCTC's fixed-route conventional fleet will improve air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95 percent and lower operating and energy costs with projected annual savings of up to C$900,000 (US$695,088) in diesel fuel and up to C$50,000 (US$38,616) on maintenance for each bus. Going electric will also reduce noise pollution compared to combustion-engine buses.
"Reducing our carbon footprint and environmental sustainability are key strategic priorities for the city of St. Catharines,” said St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik. “Creating a plan to transition St. Catharines Transit's bus fleet to zero-emissions technology is an essential step to achieve meaningful greenhouse gas reduction and invest in a low-carbon fleet in an efficient and fiscally responsible way."
The Green Municipal Fund, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, is funded through an endowment by the government of Canada. GMF helps local governments switch to sustainable practices faster. Its unique mix of funding, resources and training gives municipalities the tools they need to build resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"Local governments own sixty percent of the country's infrastructure. With support from the Green Municipal Fund, municipalities of all sizes are implementing smart sustainable solutions to improve their infrastructure; it is exactly what St. Catharines is doing with their study on electrification of public transit. Together, we are building resilient communities, accelerating the path to net-zero and helping achieve Canada's climate goals,” Rudyk said.
