FCM's Green Municipal Fund Commits $1,000,000 to the City of Vaughan for "Greening Vaughan"--a Management Plan to Divert Waste from Landfill

    VAUGHAN, ON, Jan. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Town of Richmond Hill Councillor and
Deputy Mayor Brenda Hogg, representing the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities (FCM), and the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural
Resources, announced today a $1,000,000 Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant for
the City of Vaughan. The City is investing the funds in the implementation of
a comprehensive waste management plan called "Greening Vaughan" to divert
waste from landfill.
    "FCM's Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that
specifically address the sustainable community development needs of municipal
governments," said Councillor Hogg, representing FCM. "The financing and
knowledge provided by the Fund supports the development of communities that
are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable."
    "Our government is assisting municipalities across the country in
achieving their goal of a cleaner and healthier environment for Canadians
through the Green Municipal Fund," said Minister Raitt. "Today's announcement
is another example of how the Government of Canada - in partnership with the
FCM - is helping Vaughan build a greener future for its citizens."
    Launched in September 2005, "Greening Vaughan" focuses on diverting waste
from landfill, through improved recycling and household organic waste
programs. Under the plan Vaughan residents have obtained the necessary tools,
programs and encouragement to divert over 60 per cent of waste from their
garbage. Diversion objectives are being met primarily by way of an improved
recycling collection program as well as the provision of a separate household
organic collection program.
    "The Greening Vaughan program is doing its part to solve the pressing
environmental problems of landfill availability and location," said Vaughan
Mayor Linda Jackson. "In 2008 the City was able to meet and exceed Ontario's
provincial waste reduction target of 60 per cent. Vaughan residents now have
the opportunity to participate in an improved recycling collection program and
a new household organic collection program that together add up to a real and
measurable benefit for our environment. With Green Municipal Fund support we
can continue to make environmental gains."
    The Government of Canada has endowed the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities with $550 million to establish and manage the Green Municipal
Fund. The Fund supports partnerships and leveraging of both public and private
sector funding to reach higher standards of air, water and soil quality, and
climate protection.

    FCM has been the national voice of municipal governments since 1901. It
fosters sustainable communities enjoying a high quality of life by promoting
strong, effective, and accountable municipal government.

For further information: City of Vaughan, ON: Madeline Zito, Director of
Corporate Communications, City of Vaughan, [phone], extension 8027,
Fax: [phone], [e-mail], http://www.vaughan.ca; Green
Municipal Fund: Dave Weatherall, Communications Officer, Green Municipal Fund,
Federation of Canadian Municipalities, [phone], Fax: [phone],
[e-mail], http://www.sustainablecommunities.fcm.ca; Natural
Resources Canada: Jasmine MacDonnell, Press Secretary Office of the Minister
of Natural Resources Canada, [phone], Fax: [phone],
http://nrcan-rncan.gc.ca