This pilot project tested the technical and economic viability of adding one to two electric vehicles to each municipality’s fleet (for a total of 10 new vehicles) and making them available for sharing among municipal employees, residents and partners.

Each vehicle was equipped for the car-sharing system to optimize its use. Car-sharing software was developed to collect data, including the distance travelled by users, trip duration and frequency of use. The partners also installed 10 charging stations in the six participating municipalities. 

By the end of the pilot in 2019, the municipalities had collectively reduced their fleets’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 59.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). They had also established a revenue-generating system that put the unused capacity of their fleets to excellent use. With the establishment of this electric vehicle network, the mentality and behaviour of employees and residents has changed in relation to both electric vehicles and car-sharing programs.

Other small and medium-sized municipalities have been inspired to follow suit. By the end of 2018, before the pilot was even fully rolled out, nine additional municipalities and one regional county municipality in Quebec had expressed interest in implementing a similar system. In New Brunswick, five municipalities are also participating in a pilot project of the same system. 

This successful pilot and the significant community interest it inspired are promising steps toward achieving the goals outlined in Quebec’s action plan to electrify transportation in the province, Propelling Québec Forward with Electricity: Transportation Electrification Action Plan 2015–2020. Through this plan, the province aims to increase the number of electric vehicles in its fleets, reduce GHGs and dependence on oil, and contribute to Quebec’s economy by supporting a growing industry and using the electric energy available in the province.

I like [the program] because I don’t have a car, I have a motorcycle, so it’s perfect for grocery shopping and everything. When it rains, it’s very convenient and not too expensive, so I love it and strongly recommend it. I can pick up my grandchildren for a walk and ice cream.”

—André Godon, Nicolet resident

The municipality put in a pumping system to divert pre-treated effluent through strong geotextile bags. The bags sit for up to 28 days, passively filtering the effluent and creating drier and lighter nutrient-rich compost. The compost is then used to fertilize sod fields in the region. This process produces a high-quality dried sludge (Grade A). It also significantly reduces the concentration of suspended solids in the wastewater treatment process, an important measure of water quality. It has also reduced trucking costs for sludge transportation and disposal by $30,000 per year. 

Within the first year, the facility had surpassed the town’s projections by dewatering 150,000 more gallons of sludge than anticipated (450,000 gallons in total). With much less sludge to transport for disposal, the town was able to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25.8 tonnes of CO₂e annually (equivalent to transporting 150 truckloads). Only four dump trucks are now required to transport the remaining sludge for disposal each year. 
 

The geo bags have been a welcome addition to the Montague treatment system. They are easy to use and provide a more natural, sustainable way to dispose of excess solid by-products.”

—Matt Duffy, Operator, Montague Wastewater Treatment Plant, Town of Three Rivers

A team of consultants and engineers collaborated with NRH representatives to construct the new building on an underused site connected to an existing community housing building. NRH established a development committee for the project, which included NRH employees, regional staff and community members. These community representatives, along with seniors living in the existing building, played a key role in some of the decisions made during the design and construction phases. This type of committee is now seen as a best practice and has since been implemented in all new builds by NRH.

The building features geothermal heating and cooling and other energy-efficiency measures, reducing the building’s energy use by an impressive 48 percent compared to standard buildings. It also uses less water, thanks to a grey water recovery system and low-flow fixtures, and reduces waste through organics recycling. 

The residence’s environmental features earned the Region of Niagara its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver certification for an affordable housing building and will mean welcome savings for residents on utility and energy costs. And, as an aging-in-place wellness model with plenty of outdoor and amenity space for socialization, the new residence is anticipated to reduce health care costs. 

Through the project’s funding and rental income, the building is financially self-sustaining. The project has also contributed to the local Welland economy, adding over $9 million in employment and product purchases. It created 50 construction jobs and has brought new employment opportunities for a live-in building attendant, cleaners and contractors. The new building is also expected to generate about $80,000 in additional property tax revenue for the city.

This modern and welcoming building is a boon to the community, a great example of urban intensification integrating much-needed community housing, and a wonderful new place for seniors to call home.

I love this place so much. The people in this building are very friendly and they always make me feel like family.”

—Réjeanne Nicholls, Birchwood Place resident

The first five buildings were connected to the new heating system in 2014. A dryer system was built to dry the biowaste for the heating system. The town installed a backup oil-powered boiler to cover peak demand in cold weather and give the biomass boiler a break for maintenance.

As with many best-laid plans, a couple of snags kept the town on its toes. It soon became clear that the heating requirements of the school and arena, which are located at the far end of the two-kilometre network, did not justify the construction costs to connect them. The pharmacy also underwent major renovations that improved its energy efficiency, reducing the potential impact of connecting it to the system. The town redirected its efforts to where they were most needed, setting up a second system to supply heat to offices, a mechanic shop and a workshop in 2015. 

The town’s flexibility served it well throughout the project. While little information was initially available on implementing such a system and heating with biofuels, the town kept an open mind as new information, techniques and equipment became available, learning and adapting along the way. 

The project has displaced fossil fuels and electricity for 95.1% of the energy used to heat the town’s municipal and institutional buildings. It has dramatically reduced the town’s reliance on these resources and reduced the town’s GHGs by about 133 tonnes per year. 

The project has also increased residents’ awareness of the value of sustainability and sparked pride in the community. Local jobs have also been created, attracting skilled young workers to the area. Saint-Ubalde has become an outstanding example of rural independence and innovation with a project that can easily be replicated in surrounding communities and in other parts of Canada. 

We have a local resource, the raw material, which is biomass. We need to encourage projects that use biomass—it’s money that stays here.”

—Pierre Saint-Germain, Mayor of Saint-Ubalde

Sources

L'érablière Savard et Douville Saint-Ubalde passe du mazout à la biomasse

The concept for a backwash wastewater recovery system was soon developed. First, the wastewater would flow into two sedimentation ponds to reduce its mineral content. The wastewater would then flow through a small stream for further cleaning and end in a filtration pond where it would return to the aquifer. The cleaned wastewater would be used to irrigate sports fields and parkland. 

Although the feasibility study noted the need for further testing and data collection, it also recommended that the work to implement the system proceed. After discussing the project with residents and a wide range of stakeholder groups and receiving significant support, the city put its plans in motion. 

The backwash wastewater recovery system was in place soon after the new water treatment plant opened, with only a few weather-related delays. True to its design, the system helps the city manage stormwater, recharge its groundwater aquifers and reduce the volume of water going into the sewer system. It also provides wildlife habitat and green space for the community. A five-kilometre walking path is popular year-round, and the filtration pond, stocked with rainbow trout, has become a favourite fishing destination among locals and visitors alike. 

The city’s decision to leverage its investment to further increase its environmental impacts is an inspiring example of how municipalities can take opportunities to push for even better results for the communities they serve.  

It was nice surprise to see how many people came out once they realized the walking paths and fish pond were available. It’s a very popular spot."

—Glenda Holmes, Waterworks Manager, City of Yorkton

In the new integrated waste management complex, a transfer centre makes it possible to process waste and recyclable materials separately in the same building.

At the ecocentre, residents separate their household hazardous waste, wood, metal and bulky items, such as furniture and appliances, into containers. Items in good condition, along with other items made from recycled materials, are sold at the reuse store. The warehouse provides storage space for local community organizations.

The RGMRM initially used an electric baler to press waste and recyclables into compact bundles for shipping. The baler was intended to reduce the number of trucks needed to transport them, which in turn would reduce GHG emissions. However, the amount of organic material remaining in the waste made it difficult to bale. The RGMRM reconsidered this component of the project as a result. The use of the press for recyclable materials reduced and optimized transportation costs over eight years, from 2012 to 2019. Ultimately, the drop in global demand for materials recovered through curbside recycling prompted the RGMRM to retire the baler.   

The RGMRM’s unique, one-stop approach to waste management has made the complex a popular destination for area residents. Trips to the eco-centre and reuse store are now a part of residents’ daily lives, instilling a strong sense of pride in the community. The site boasts up to 26,000 visits per year from a population of about 29,000. The welcoming and attractive reuse store, supplied by onsite workshops and local artisans, has been especially well-received. 

The project’s focus on recovery and reuse has significantly reduced the volume of waste sent to landfill. Consolidating waste management services has also reduced collection costs for participating municipalities and created 16 new permanent jobs at the complex. 

The success of this project clearly showcases the benefits of centralized waste management for all municipalities. This one-stop approach to waste management is an inspiring example that can be replicated in any community. 

Before the reuse store opened, I had no choice but to buy just new. It certainly changed the way I shop."

—Linda Girard, resident of Ragueneau

Consultations with residents provided valuable input to designing the most appropriate and cost-effective approach.

To collect the used textiles, the city built attractive, cottage-style smart bins and placed them at city-owned facilities. Each bin is equipped with solar panels to provide lighting for nighttime safety and security, and a sensor to signal when the bin is three-quarters full and ready for pick-up.

The pilot included an extensive campaign to educate residents on the value of diverting clothing and other textiles from landfill. Interest in the project was intense and swift, and the city soon gained additional partners, dramatically increasing its collection capacity. The city had originally aimed to test two bins, but by the end of April 2017, over 80 donation bins had been placed at fire stations, community centres, arenas, commercial developments and multi-residential properties (there are now over 150). Throughout the pilot, the city and its partners collected about 1,360 tonnes of textiles—12 times the original goal of 113.4 tonnes.

The amount of textiles diverted from landfill during the pilot offset 28,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, saved 95.2 million litres of water and avoided 761 tonnes of chemicals compared to the production of “virgin” fabrics.

The project is now a popular permanent program that actively supports local employment and social service charities. For example, the Salvation Army has added two full-time and two part-time employees and dedicated one full-time truck to service Markham’s bins. At no cost to the city, Markham’s charitable partners resell or recycle all the textile donations and track data on how much is diverted from landfill. In return, the partners use the proceeds to support their own programs.

Our family uses the Markham textile recycling bins regularly—with growing children and lots of hand-me-downs, we have no shortage of clothes that are too worn out to live a ‘third life.’ It feels good knowing that the material is being kept out of landfills and repurposed for industrial uses or recycled into new products."

—Ernesta R., Markham resident

To clean up the site, the city removed and remediated contaminated soil and reclaimed and recycled the timber that had collected in the area. The city built underground structures to hold the contaminated groundwater and prevent it from leaching into the Fraser River. Native plants were put in along the shoreline. 

One of the biggest hurdles involved the implementation time frames required by the project’s funders. To overcome this challenge in a sustainable, cost-effective way, the city engaged in a highly collaborative planning process, involving all stakeholders very early on. This approach helped the team make challenging but time- and budget-sensitive decisions, such as the choice to use an independent remediation process.

Westminster Pier Park remains an urban jewel. This unique, award-winning park offers pedestrian and bicycle pathways, programmable open spaces, and natural riverbank habitat for local wildlife. Its 600-metre boardwalk connects with a 2.5-kilometre linear waterfront park offering great views, green space, public art and playgrounds. All the park structures were designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification. 

This initiative has revitalized the neighbourhood and attracted new residential and commercial developments to the downtown area. It has also established a strong connection between the natural environment and the city core, and created a people-oriented recreational space for residents to enjoy. 

This project is an outstanding example of how converting former industrial sites to productive use can drive urban renewal, increase economic return and enhance quality of life. 

We have 10 acres on the water that was a lifeline before for our industry. Now it’s a lifeline for our people."

—Former Mayor Wayne Wright, City of New Westminster, BC

Completed in 2015, the library is a model of sustainable construction. It is built with sustainable materials and heated through a combination of solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. Up to 50,000 megawatts of excess solar energy can be returned to Hydro-Québec, for which the city receives a credit. Expansive windows provide abundant natural light, and some are motorized for natural ventilation. Low-flow toilets and taps have reduced water consumption by at least 27 percent. 

The building has Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification and is on track to reach net-zero energy by 2021. When it does, it will reduce its energy consumption by 2,975 gigajoules per year and save $80,000 in annual energy costs.  

The two-floor building has a total area of 2,000 square metres and is an accessible environment in which community members can learn and discover. The new library includes an activity room, work spaces, a reading room, a family and breastfeeding area, a computer lab, listening and viewing stations, and a multi-purpose space. Attention was paid to every detail, including heated floors and shelving aligned with the windows for light. 

Armed with a wealth of new knowledge after completing this project, the city takes every opportunity to showcase its lessons learned—regularly sharing data and knowledge to help other communities achieve their own sustainability goals.

The City of Varennes plans to apply similar sustainability standards to future municipal buildings. 

A dream come true! This is the best way to express the feeling of pride the elected officials and citizens of Varennes have about this great achievement. [This project] will change the way public buildings are constructed for the future.”

-Martin Damphousse, Mayor of the City of Varennes

Residents who once kept their windows open in winter to deal with excess heat were given control over the heat in their homes. New heat recovery ventilation systems brought more fresh air to the buildings, and two of the buildings also received welcome cooling in the summer. Replacing inefficient toilets with ultra low-flow models also brought substantial financial savings.

TCH and TAF significantly streamlined the retrofits by grouping the seven buildings into a single initiative and selecting a design-build firm that could handle a project on that scale. TCH, TAF and the design-build firm worked in partnership through all phases of the project, using an integrated project delivery (IPD) approach rather than the more usual linear design and review process. The project partners consider this approach a major part of the project’s success. 

Another big success factor was the project’s innovative financing model. TCH and TAF signed an Energy Savings Performance Agreement™, a form of non-debt financing. 

Under the agreement, TAF would cover the capital costs up front and TCH would repay TAF through the energy savings created by the project until the investment was repaid, plus a small return. The design-build firm was required to guarantee the energy savings for 10 years. 

The partners also worked with Building Up, a non-profit organization that trains people facing employment barriers, to offer opportunities for hands-on learning during the retrofit process. Twelve community members were hired to work on the project for a total of 1,677 hours of employment.

TCH has used its experience to inform retrofits of a number of other buildings and is working with other municipalities to help them do the same.  

Through its retrofits, TAF is showing that climate action can lead to new jobs.”

—Roshaun Singh, Building Up