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Environmental impact

Environmental targets are still the main pillar in GMF’s triple-bottom-line approach to all our funding initiatives. In the past two decades, we’ve made significant impacts in all our target sectors:

GHG reductions

3.02

million tonnes of GHG emissions avoided

Energy savings

1.17 million

GJ of energy savings per year

Ecosystem management

13.4

ha square metres of natural resources restored

150

trees planted to reduce climate risks

3.02 million tonnes of GHG emissions avoided, equivalent to taking 927,447 cars off the road for a year or planting 3.56 million acres of boreal forest

equivalent to the average annual energy consumption for 218 arenas.

13.4 ha square metres of natural resources restored, protected or brought under improved ecosystem management practices 

Social impact

GMF’s offerings benefit entire communities, including vulnerable populations. Social benefits like increased access to affordable housing, strengthened community programs and improved public health help communities thrive.

Here are some of the ways GMF-funded projects have helped build stronger communities:

Community centres, cultural centres and libraries
  • 19 capital projects completed
  • $55 million disbursed
  • Social benefits:
    • Improves local quality of life
    • Strengthens community ties
    • Supports cultural vitality
    • Preserves heritage
    • Supports educational activities
    • Provides local employment and volunteer positions
Recreation centres, pools and ice rinks
  • 15 capital projects completed
  • $53 million disbursed
  • Social benefits:
    • Promotes public health through physical activity
    • Improves local quality of life
    • Promotes economic growth through events and visitors
Affordable housing (new builds and retrofits of existing units)
  • 611 new builds or retrofits of existing units
  • 15 capital and pilot projects completed
  • $85 million disbursed
  • Social benefits:
    • Creates welcoming places to live, work and start businesses
    • Helps address poverty
    • Provides security and comfort to vulnerable populations
    • Retains workers and attracts newcomers
    • Enriches neighbourhoods and drives economic growth

Economic Impact

Building sustainable communities is good for the economy. From creating local jobs to driving operational efficiencies that help municipalities stretch tax dollars, the return on GMF investments has always been unmatched.

Using the Local Economic Development (LED) model, we’ve calculated the economic impact of our investments in plans, studies, pilots and capital projects:

  • 2,851 sustainability projects approved
  • $2.1 billion worth of approved sustainability projects
  • 3.02 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions avoided
  • 58,954 person-years of employment created
  • $5.6 billion contributed to national GDP

Find out more about GMF’s impact in our Annual Report.