Solid waste management in Canadian municipalities: A snapshotExpanding responsibility for producers to include the post-consumer stage of their products is a key solution for financial and environmental sustainability in the waste sector. That’s one finding of this Green Municipal Fund (GMF) report highlighting waste sector trends, key factors affecting municipalities’ ability to drive change, and best practices with economic, social and environmental benefits.

This snapshot focuses on practices that fall into four categories:

  • circular economy approaches
  • new technologies
  • integrated solid waste programming
  • mandatory and economic instruments

The City of Beaconsfield, QC provides an example of the last category. They piloted a highly successful pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) waste collection system that allows people to choose a smaller bin or less frequent pick-up and save money in the process. The results: 50 percent less landfill waste and cost savings of 40 percent to the municipality.

In addition to the emphasis on extended producer responsibility (EPR), the report draws several other conclusions, including:

  • Global partnerships among large municipalities will continue to drive change.
  • Organics diversion is becoming more mainstream and has the potential for significant emission reductions.
  • Public awareness and targeted education in the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector can facilitate success with new projects.

Find more details, examples and conclusions in the report.

About the Green Municipal Fund

The Green Municipal Fund is a $1 billion program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. Through its unique mix of training, resources and funding, GMF fuels local initiatives that build better lives for millions of Canadians while tackling pressing environmental and climate challenges.

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Facing an affordable housing crisis and rising to the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Waterloo Region Housing (WRH) has undertaken its first net-zero community housing build. 

Located in Southern Ontario, WRH is expected to complete its newest community housing development at 420 Kingscourt Drive this summer. The project features a variety of energy-efficient design elements as well as tenant amenity spaces to foster a sense of community. The 73-unit building’s energy use will be 50 percent lower than average Canadian residential building, meaning tenants will not only enjoy an affordable, comfortable home, but also benefit from greatly reduced energy costs. 

The project is so exceptional that it was named a winner of a 2024 Sustainable Communities Award.

In this webinar recording, you’ll hear an inspiring story about how a local government with no previous experience constructing net-zero buildings ended up with an award-winning project that proudly incorporates affordability, energy efficiency and community engagement.

Watch the webinar recording to learn:

  • A detailed background behind WRH’s project and their goals and challenges, including a walkthrough of their approach, project scope and funding model.
  • The value of collaboration with other departments and obtaining council support.
  • The innovative pilot of the Community Benefits Program, which provides training to help recruit, engage and retain a diverse construction labour force.
  • Lessons learned from project and WRH’s next steps, including at least five additional affordable housing redevelopment projects in the area.

Speakers:

  • Tristan Wilkin – Supervisor of Affordable Housing Development, Housing Services; Region of Waterloo
  • Brad Pick – Senior Project Manager (Facilities-Large Capital); Region of Waterloo

This webinar was delivered in English with French simultaneous interpretation. 

FCM’s Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiative is delivered through our Green Municipal Fund and funded by the Government of Canada.

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Climate change affects us all—but not equally. Municipalities have a key role to play in helping communities respond to these uneven impacts through local adaptation efforts that are inclusive, community-driven and fair.

This series brings together municipal staff from across Canada to explore how to apply equity principles in the implementation of climate adaptation projects. Through regional in-person sessions and a virtual workshop, participants will gain practical insights, connect with peers, and hear directly from equity-deserving groups.

Participant insights will also help shape a new national resource on equitable adaptation, to be released in 2025. 

Virtual workshop

Date and time: Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET 
Registration deadline: Tuesday, May 27 at 5 p.m. ET

The virtual workshop is open to participants from all regions and designed to make participation more accessible.  

Register for the virtual workshop

What you’ll gain

This series focuses on turning equity principles into practical actions for municipal climate adaptation. You’ll explore:

  • Equitable climate adaptation 
    Explore why equity, Reconciliation, anti-racism and inclusion are essential for effective adaptation.
  • Embedding equity into your projects 
    Apply an equity lens across the entire project lifecycle—from planning and implementation to monitoring and evaluation.
  • Spatial and demographic equity 
    Identify populations most affected by climate impacts and tailor actions to address systemic barriers.
  • Collaborative and inclusive project design 
    Move beyond consultation to co-create adaptation solutions with communities facing the greatest risks.
  • Learning from lived experience 
    Engage with equity-deserving groups to learn how adaptation projects can better reflect their needs and realities.
  • Peer learning and support 
    Build a network of municipal peers to share experiences, challenges, and strategies for advancing equitable climate action.

Who should attend

Municipal staff from any region or experience level who are working on—or interested in starting—climate adaptation projects with an equity focus.

In-person workshops

Regional in-person sessions are taking place in May and June 2025, led by local partners and tailored to regional needs. 

LocationDate and timeVenueDelivery languageFacilitating partner
Atlantic Canada 

May 12

10:00 am – 3:00pm

Crowne Plaza, Acadian Room

1005 Main St, Moncton, NB

English CLIMAtlantic
Québec

May 16

10:00 am – 3:00pm 

L’Espace Rodier

2nd Floor

914 Notre-Dame St W, Montréal, QC 

French Transition Bridges Project
Ontario 

May 21

10:00 am – 3:00pm

University of Waterloo

Waterloo, ON 

English Transition Bridges Project
Prairies

May 28

10:00 am – 3:00pm

Merchant's Corner  

541 Selkirk Ave, Winnipeg, MB 

English ClimateWest
Western Canada

May 28

10:00 am – 3:00pm 

Segal Building, Simon Fraser University, CN Strategy Room 2800

500 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

English Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
Yukon 

June 4

10:00 am – 3:00pm

Gold Rush Inn

411 Main St, Whitehorse, YT 

English Yukon Association of Communities

Register for any session

Why equity matters in local climate adaptation

Climate risks and resources are not evenly distributed. Embedding equity into municipal adaptation implementation actions helps ensure those who face the greatest risks also receive the greatest support.  

This series offers tools and insights to help make your local climate action more inclusive, effective and community-led.

This workshop series is led by the Green Municipal Fund and coordinated by the AIM Network, in collaboration with:

  • CLIMAtlantic
  • ClimateWest
  • Transition Bridges Project
  • Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
  • Yukon Association of Communities

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Despite growing commitments to climate planning, many local governments continue to encounter significant barriers that hinder meaningful progress. Join us for a dynamic and interactive webinar to explore the Low Carbon Resilience (LCR) approach—a proven strategic framework that seamlessly integrates climate considerations into core municipal processes. 

About the LCR approach

Developed by the Action on Climate Team at Simon Fraser University, the Low Carbon Resilience (LCR) approach has been successfully put into action across nine municipalities and one First Nation in British Columbia. This strategy enhances integrated planning through strategies like cross-departmental collaboration, joint procurement, and streamlined decision-making processes. 

In this webinar, you’ll:
  • Understand the core principles of the Low Carbon Resilience (LCR) approach and how it can streamline climate planning
  • Apply LCR to align climate initiatives with your municipality’s existing priorities and systems
  • Exchange ideas with peers and explore practical ways to embed LCR into your community’s planning processes

You’ll also take part in guided reflections and peer exchange activities to help assess your municipality’s current climate planning practices.

This session is ideal for municipal staff, elected officials, and community leaders involved in climate adaptation, corporate planning, and sustainability. Secure your spot today and discover how your municipality can use LCR to strengthen and accelerate climate planning.

Speakers:
  • Lauren Vincent (she/her), Associate Director, Action on Climate Team & Simon Frasier University Climate Innovation
  • Randy Sa’d (he/him), Executive Director, REFOCUS
  • Laura Sampliner (she/her), Manager, Climate Action for the City of New Westminster 

The webinar will be bilingual (English and French) with simultaneous interpretation (SI).

Register now

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Municipalities across Canada are navigating complex challenges and require solutions that can address multiple issues at once. Join us for an engaging webinar on April 24 at 2 p.m. ET to explore how sustainability projects can deliver lasting socioeconomic benefits—and how you can leverage this knowledge to strengthen your Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant and loan applications.

This session will help you understand the multi-solving approach to local sustainability projects that not only reduce diverse sources of greenhouse gas emissions, but also improve budget management, climate resilience, biodiversity and social well-being. We’ll highlight practical examples of net-zero builds and retrofits that have delivered both environmental and socioeconomic benefits, and how you can integrate these concepts into your GMF funding applications.

What you will learn:  

  • How multi-solving and co-benefits in sustainability projects can help meet broader municipal goals.
  • Key insights into GMF application requirements related to multi-solving and co-benefits, and how they can improve your application’s success and your project’s outcomes.
  • Ways to incorporate socioeconomic benefits into net-zero builds and retrofits.
  • Real-world case studies of municipalities leveraging sustainability for environmental and social gains. 

Speakers:  

  • Dr. Anabela Bonada, Managing Director, Climate Science, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, University of Waterloo
  • Marcos Alejandro Badra, Program Manager, Circular Economy, City of Richmond, British Columbia
  • Maria Adelaida Fernandez, Socio-Economics Benefits Specialist, Green Municipal Fund

Our expert panel will share invaluable insights and real-world examples to help guide your own municipal initiatives.

The webinar will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation in French.

Register now!

 

Does your community want to enhance biodiversity and better manage its natural assets? This factsheet explores how thoughtful tree planting and urban forest management can restore and connect habitats to enhance urban biodiversity, ecosystem health and ecosystem structure. 

Biodiversity in the urban forest

Trees are critical for supporting biodiversity. Tree species like white oaks, hackberries and beaked hazelnut sustain local wildlife by producing acorns, berries and nuts that feed bird and mammal species. Other trees, like eastern white cedars or eastern redbud, provide shelter for birds or produce flowers that support native pollinators. Trees also support local watersheds by preventing erosion in ravines and along rivers and improving water quality.

While individual trees provide important benefits for wildlife, it is vital to maintain and protect patches of undisturbed forests and other areas with high tree density, particularly in urban and peri-urban environments (areas located on the outskirts of cities and towns). These patches are composed of mostly native trees and other vegetation that have co-evolved and formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife. Conserving these spaces, along with planting new trees, helps to preserve important habitat and maintain native species populations. 

Threats to urban forests 

Many communities around the world have established themselves in areas with high biodiversity. However, as cities and towns expand and land is cleared to make room for development, existing ecosystems like wetlands, forest and grasslands can be significantly altered or replaced entirely.

Today, many urban ecosystems, including urban forests, have been degraded from the impacts of development. This shows up as habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and poor soil quality. A degraded ecosystem can lead to native plant species not regenerating as they should and wildlife populations declining.

Urban forests also suffer from fragmentation. Cities and towns often contain patches of forest and other ecosystems that are isolated from one another by human-made barriers like roads, commercial buildings and housing developments. These barriers prevent wildlife from crossing between different patches which, over time, can lead to a decline in biodiversity and lower wildlife populations.

Restoring habitat through tree planting and management

Ecosystem restoration is the process of returning a degraded or converted ecosystem to a healthy, functional and sustainable state (i.e., what existed prior to human intervention). This process includes activities such as removing invasive species, planting native vegetation, remediating soil and improving water quality.  

In urban and peri-urban areas, tree planting is a highly effective method for restoring habitats and conserving biodiversity. Planting trees helps re-establish canopy structures, supports wildlife, prevents invasive species and promotes native plant diversity. 

Case study: Restoring the Black Oak savannah in the City of Toronto

The Black Oak savannah is a rare and diverse grassland ecosystem in Ontario that relies on fire to thrive. Periodic controlled wildfires in these ecosystems benefit native plants and animals by reducing invasive species, stimulating native plant regeneration and restoring wildlife habitat. For centuries, Indigenous communities have managed the savannah through practices like traditional burns. However, urban development and colonial practices such as fire suppression have largely destroyed or vastly changed much of the Black Oak savannah from its original state.  

A large patch of Black Oak savannah still exists in several parks in the City of Toronto, including High Park. In 1995, the city determined that the trees in the park were nearing the end of their life expectancy and new trees were not regenerating to replace them. The ecosystem was not functioning optimally, and its long-term viability was at risk.  

The city has since begun restoration efforts by partnering with local Indigenous communities to conduct annual traditional and prescribed burns, targeted plantings of black oak, and careful monitoring and removal of invasive species. Over time, these actions have led to natural regeneration within the ecosystem, illustrating the value of planting and careful management in ecosystem restoration. 
Learn more about traditional and prescribed burns in the City of Toronto. 
 

Improving habitat connectivity in and out of the urban forest 

Habitat connectivity is the extent to which distinct patches of habitat are connected, which can influence how or if animals and plants can travel between different habitable areas. Increasing habitat connectivity in and around urban areas can help mitigate the effects of isolated patches and improve biodiversity.  

Efforts to promote biodiversity often concentrate on large natural habitats outside of urban environments. For example, the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative is a collaborative effort to protect and connect landscapes across more than a million square kilometres in the United States and Canada. These types of projects connect large swathes of habitat through land agreements and the establishment of corridors that allow wildlife to move safely across large tracts of land.

But smaller natural urban spaces and peri-urban spaces, like municipal parks and other greenspaces, can also support considerable biodiversity, promoting species and ecosystem diversity by reducing fragmentation. Trees planted on municipal streets and in parks can create green corridors that provide temporary food and shelter for birds and pollinator species searching for higher-quality habitat. Careful analysis and planning, including mapping existing greenspaces, is crucial to identify and prioritize sites that can enhance connectivity.

Case study: City of Surrey biodiversity strategy and green infrastructure network

The City of Surrey, BC, has taken significant steps to conserve biodiversity with a dedicated municipal strategy endorsed by its council in 2014. Surrey has integrated objectives from its biodiversity conservation strategy into its official community plan, climate change action strategy and urban forest management strategy, among others, and has developed a set of design guidelines to support neighbourhood-level approaches to increasing biodiversity. 

Part of this work involves the development of a green infrastructure network connecting 3,900 hectares of natural green corridors and greenspaces across the city. The network is based on three core principles:  

  • Preserve large core habitat areas, such as forest stands or parks (“hubs”).
  • Ensure connectivity between habitat areas (“corridors”).
  • Provide a diversity of habitat features throughout Surrey (“sites”).  

The city uses a combination of tools to protect public and private land, including development permit requirements, parkland dedications and land acquisition. 

Learn more about the City of Surrey’s biodiversity initiatives. 
 

Strategies for restoring urban forests and connecting habitats in your community 

Effective planning for biodiversity in and around municipalities is increasingly important as urban areas expand. Good planning can help achieve conservation goals and support the ecosystem functions and services on which our communities depend.

Municipalities can leverage various tools to protect and restore urban forests and to ensure habitat connectivity. Below are initial strategies that your municipality can explore to plant new trees and to manage existing treed spaces in a way that promotes biodiversity. 

  1. Identify and assess areas that need to be restored and connected

    Creating an inventory is an important first step to determine ideal locations for restoring and connecting habitat. Your inventory should include municipal parks and other public or privately-owned land that can support additional tree planting. Inventories can be created through a combination of on-the-ground searches, existing public park information, satellite imagery and community engagement. They can be stored and visualized using tools like geographic information system (GIS) software or iTree (for more details on these, review our factsheet on urban forestry technology and tools).

    After creating your inventory, analyze potential sites based on factors like proximity to an existing natural area, size of existing greenspace, existing biodiversity and presence of invasive or at-risk species. Biodiversity assessments can be performed on sites with existing natural greenspaces like woodlots or ravine areas by trained biologists, foresters or ecologists.  

    You can also use your inventory to determine opportunities to improve connectivity between existing greenspaces. The distance between two existing parks or greenspaces or the presence of existing green corridors (e.g., streets with continuous canopy or vegetation cover) nearby are measures that can help prioritize locations for connectivity.  

    Key resource: The San Francisco Estuary Institute’s Making Nature’s City Toolkit outlines possible assessment criteria for evaluating urban biodiversity. It includes information about the size, shape and distance between patches of greenspace, width of corridors, habitat diversity, presence of native vegetation and more. 

  2. Implement tree planting and other restoration projects

    After conducting your parks and plantable spaces inventory, you can begin plans to maintain or enhance biodiversity in your community. The outcomes of your inventory assessment will inform which sites you prioritize to plant new trees, create green corridors and otherwise support habitat restoration and connectivity.  

    Always seek expert advice when planning new projects. Your team should include experienced biologists, Knowledge Keepers, ecologists or foresters with ecosystem restoration and connectivity knowledge. Wherever possible, use native trees and vegetation to better support native pollinators and make sure to select species that can tolerate future climate conditions (e.g., drought-tolerant species or species not currently threatened by pests or diseases). When prioritizing sites, consider projects that would improve or create critical habitat for species at risk.  

    After restoration work is complete, it is important to have a long-term monitoring plan for the site. Invasive species are a constant threat to natural spaces and are easiest to remove when found early.  

    Consider how your community can be involved in data collection, monitoring and restoration efforts. Community members, naturalist groups and other local environmental organizations are often aware of natural spaces in need of restoration activities like tree planting or invasive species removal. Ensuring community members are aware of and able to participate in the planting and restoration projects can increase their impact and success. Involve local Indigenous communities by seeking guidance from Knowledge Keepers and prioritizing input from Indigenous leaders and community members during engagement.

    You can also plan events to encourage community members to record and share wildlife sightings in public databases. For example, municipalities and other community groups can participate in Nature Conservancy Canada’s annual Big Backyard BioBlitz

     

  3. Protect existing natural spaces through local policies and planning

    The easiest way to protect biodiversity in your community is to protect existing natural spaces. Restoring former natural areas is often more costly and work intensive than maintaining existing spaces. Municipalities can explore options to create protected areas on municipal land and partner with other landowners and/or orders of government to establish protections.

    To maintain your existing natural spaces, you can create a biodiversity strategy or plan. Municipal biodiversity strategies are comprehensive long-term plans to protect and enhance local natural spaces. They provide an outline your municipality can follow to increase biodiversity and stop important habitat loss.  

    Ensure municipal development plans and land use policies are prioritizing the protection and enhancement of local biodiversity. Consider the different tools at your disposal, such as zoning or development permit bylaws, that can be used to protect existing natural areas and enhance biodiversity. 

    Key resource: The Green Bylaws Toolkit is a comprehensive resource for land use planners and decision-makers that explains how to create bylaws and other policy tools that protect and enhance the natural environment and green infrastructure.  

Other municipal examples

  • The City of Nicolet, QC, collaborated with Habitat to assess ecological connectivity in the region and create an action plan for developing an ecological corridor. This included activities like tree planting and wetland preservation.  
  • The City of Victoria, BC, has listed improving ecological connectivity as a dedicated outcome in its urban forest master plan. Strategies include using tree planting and management to connect larger natural areas and provide corridors for wildlife.
  • The City of Edmonton, AB, uses an ecological network approach to conserve its natural areas. A natural connections strategic plan and a natural area systems policy outline specific principles, roles and responsibilities for implementation.
  • The City of Toronto, ON, released a biodiversity strategy to enhance the quality and quantity of biodiversity and increase awareness of nature in Toronto. This has included numerous restoration projects and public engagement initiatives, such as biodiversity booklets for different groups of species (e.g., Trees, Shrubs and Vines of Toronto). 

Next steps


This resource was created in partnership by Tree Canada and FCM’s Green Municipal Fund for the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative, which is delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.

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As Canadian municipalities work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting net-zero targets by 2050, fleet electrification is becoming an essential strategy. Switching to electric vehicles isn’t just about reducing emissions; it’s about building a more sustainable future for your community. However, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) requires strategic planning, particularly in securing funding, developing infrastructure and supporting adoption in small and rural communities.  
 

Join us on Thursday, April 10, at 2 p.m. ET for this insightful webinar, where municipal leaders, industry experts and EV sector specialists will share practical strategies, best practices and real-world case studies to help municipalities successfully navigate fleet electrification.  

What you’ll learn:

  • EV adoption strategies: Understand the challenges and opportunities of municipal fleet electrification.  
  • Develop charging infrastructure: Learn best practices for procuring and installing EV chargers efficiently.
  • Understand financial and environmental benefits: Discover cost-effective strategies that support long-term sustainability.  
  • Success stories: Gain insights from municipalities leading the way in fleet electrification.

Speakers:

  • Donna Reardon – Mayor, Saint John  
  • Benoit Lacroix – CEO, ReliON  
  • Ashley Smith – Owner & Managing Director, Fundamental Inc  
  • Noémie De Vuyst – Advisor, Programs Outreach, Green Municipal Fund
  • Kevin Loughery – Director of Saint John Transit  

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical solutions that will help your municipality accelerate fleet electrification and achieve sustainability goals.  

The webinar will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation in French.


Register now

About this guide

The Integrating Equity Principles Within Community Efficiency Financing Programs: A Guide for Canadian Municipalities and Partners is designed to help municipalities create home energy retrofit financing programs that work for everyone. Developed as part of the Green Municipal Fund's (GMF) Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) initiative, this guide provides practical tools and strategies to make energy efficiency programs more accessible, fair and impactful.

Why inclusion matters

Energy efficiency programs have the power to reduce energy costs, improve home comfort and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Yet not everyone has been able to access these benefits. Barriers like upfront costs, language differences and a lack of awareness often exclude those who need these programs the most.

This guide is built on the principle that fairness doesn’t mean treating everyone the same—it means recognizing people’s unique starting points and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed. By adopting this approach, municipalities can create programs that:

  • Help more households participate in energy retrofits
  • Reduce energy costs for those who need it most
  • Build healthier, more resilient communities

By addressing these challenges and designing inclusive programs, municipalities can ensure energy efficiency benefits reach everyone in their communities.

What you’ll find in the guide

  • Clear steps to success: Learn how to incorporate inclusive practices at every stage of your program, from planning to evaluation.
  • Tools to remove barriers: Explore ways to make your programs more accessible, whether by reducing financial risks, tailoring outreach efforts, or offering targeted supports.
  • Real-life examples: See how other municipalities, like Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, are leading the way with programs that prioritize community needs and deliver real results.

Who is this guide for?

This guide is for municipalities, local governments and their partners involved in home energy retrofit financing. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach, this resource will help you design programs that create meaningful change and reach more people.

Get started

Making your energy retrofit program more inclusive doesn’t require overhauling everything at once. This guide offers practical actions you can take, no matter where your community is on its journey. Even small steps can make a big difference.

Download the guide.
 

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Every five years, FCM engages a third-party to conduct both a Review and a Performance Audit of the Green Municipal Fund (GMF). This assessment covers the work occurring April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2024. Ernst & Young conducted the work and provided the two final reports in January 2025.

FCM is pleased with the results of the Five-Year Review and the Five-Year Performance Audit and is in agreement with Ernst & Young’s findings and recommendations. These recommendations will help guide further improvements to the delivery and continued relevance of our GMF programming to stakeholders. 

Read the review results

Read the performance audit results

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