Municipal buildings like city halls and community centres provide critical services. By improving the energy performance of existing buildings or constructing new efficient facilities, municipalities can prepare for long-term sustainability and a thriving future. These improvements create local jobs, lower energy costs and enhance building comfort, all while helping municipalities achieve their climate goals.
Funding update
Sustainable Municipal Buildings funding now supports energy retrofits in municipally-owned community buildings.
Eligible municipal buildings, such as municipally-owned community buildings, may include but are not limited to:
- city halls, town halls
- administrative buildings, police stations
- indoor ice rinks, indoor sports arenas, indoor swimming pools
- public libraries
- community and recreational centres (e.g., community centres, clubhouses, recreation centres, gyms, halls and curling rinks)
- arts and culture facilities (cultural facilities, performing arts facilities, art galleries and auditoriums)
- multi-purpose buildings, which include one or more of the above community functions, as well as other services/administrative functions
- Note: Fire halls, paramedic centres, ambulance stations, and public works buildings are eligible for energy retrofits as stand-alone buildings. For new construction projects, they must be part of a multi-purpose building that includes at least one eligible building type listed above.
What we fund
- Energy retrofits of municipal buildings, including but not limited to, upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), insulation, windows and doors, hot water systems, LED lighting, and renewable energy technologies such as solar and geothermal.
- The construction of new municipal buildings.
- Feasibility studies that plot a pathway to reduce energy use and GHG emissions in municipal buildings over time.
- Feasibility studies for the construction of highly efficient municipal buildings in communities with populations of 10,000 or less.
Benefits
- Reduce heating, cooling and energy costs.
- Accelerate energy savings and keep energy dollars in the community.
- Increase comfort, health and quality of life for residents.
- Lower operating costs, which can be utilized for community benefits.
- Create local jobs.
- Reduce GHG emissions from municipal buildings.
- Increase resilience to climate events.
What we do not fund
- Plans or studies to establish net-zero/zero-carbon targets for municipal building inventories.
- Upgrading or renewal of fossil fuel-based heating systems.
- New builds or stand-alone retrofits for long-term care homes. Retrofits of long-term care homes may be considered as part of a portfolio of eligible municipally-owned buildings.
- The construction of new firehalls, public works buildings or paramedic centres as stand-alone buildings.
Available funding
We support projects at various stages of development through grants and loans. Funding amounts are based on total eligible costs. Further details on eligible costs are provided on individual funding pages.
Capital project: Retrofit of existing municipal buildings
Funding to upgrade municipal buildings, improving energy performance and reducing costs
Read moreCapital project: Construction of new sustainable municipal buildings
Funding to commission and construct a new high-efficiency, municipal building
Read moreStudy: New construction of municipal buildings
Funding to outline the design of a proposed new high-efficiency municipal building
Read moreStudy: Retrofit pathway for municipal buildings
Funding to design proposed energy retrofits for one or more municipal buildings
Read moreHave a project that goes above and beyond?
GMF’s Net-Zero Transformation offer funds the development and demonstration of new solutions to support the municipal transition to net-zero. We provide funding for plans, studies, pilots and capital projects for a wide range of innovative and replicable initiatives that have significant GHG reduction benefits.
Featured Resources
Our free learning resources build your knowledge in developing sustainable projects and accelerate your community’s transition to a resilient, net-zero future.
GMF’s Municipal Energy Roadmap
Guiding Canadian municipalities to a sustainable energy future
Read moreWebinar recording: Energy efficiency for reaching net zero
Achieving net zero: Strategies for municipal energy efficiency
Read moreCase study: How building retrofits can lead to GHG reductions
The City of Dieppe is renovating one multi-use sports complex to lower energy usage and kick-start climate goals
Read moreHave questions about Sustainable Municipal Buildings?
Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions you have relating to this funding opportunity.
Climate and sustainability funding for municipalities
Upgrade infrastructure, meet your local climate objectives, and contribute to a net-zero Canada by 2050.
Delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, GMF manages approximately $2.4B in programs funded by the Government of Canada.