We were pleased to welcome Minister Steven Guilbeault today at the Sustainable Communities Conference during a fireside chat with Mayor Alan DeSousa. He discussed the importance of the federal government continuing to collaborate closely with local governments to improve our communities' climate resilience for a stronger, safer and healthier Canada 🍁 for both present and future generations.

💡 Day 2 of the Sustainable Communities Conference opened with a thought-provoking panel moderated by Councillor Gabrielle Blatz. Panel members agreed that climate inclusivity requires relationship-building, open communication and engagement with community members, particularly Indigenous communities and marginalized groups. Sharing their own personal perspectives, each member relayed how fostering trust with the communities they serve is vital to building resilient communities. Later on that morning, various workshops equipped participants with new knowledge and skills to integrate climate resilience into their planning and operations. In a packed workshop highlighting local community energy solutions, two rural #CDNmuni shared inspiring stories highlighting the impact of climate action in small communities. Each town has used locally-generated energy to support economic revitalization in their small towns. The @CardstonAB, AB runs on 100% renewable energy and the Town of Mahone Bay, NS is set to become the first net-zero city in Canada by 2050.

In his speech earlier today at the Sustainable Communities Conference, Minister Nate Erskine-Smith emphasized the importance of partnership between local governments and the #GoC to make meaningful strides in areas such as transit, infrastructure and affordable housing, without compromising on sustainability. Thank you, Minister Erskine-Smith, for joining us at #SCC2025.

🎉 The teams behind some of Canada’s most innovative sustainability projects received their FCM Sustainable Communities Awards yesterday at #SCC2025. A huge congratulations to the winners for their impressive achievements in sustainability. Learn more 🏆:

💡 From pre-conference training sessions and study tours to interactive workshops and a buzzing industry showcase, the Sustainable Communities Conference is off to a strong start. For one of our first training sessions, "From numbers to nature: Municipal budgeting for climate goals," municipal leaders who attended shared their insights on how cities can better integrate carbon accountability into their financial planning. 📝 Participants learned about the the benefits of climate budgeting for optimal climate action, regardless of their location, size or resources. @ICLEI_Canada For more on the Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership (N-ZAP):

We’re kicking off @FCM_online's Sustainable Communities Conference tomorrow in @CityFredGov! In the next three days, we’ll be celebrating groundbreaking projects, sharing valuable lessons from GMF-funded initiatives and learning how to tackle interconnected challenges like climate resilience, housing scarcity, infrastructure and much more. Stay tuned for more on #SCC2025.

🌲 Tree equity is key to ensuring shared benefits for communities. Our factsheet highlights how to put tree equity at the center of your urban forestry plan and how it can benefit your community. #Communitycanopy #equity

🍃 @FCM_online is looking for a passionate elected municipal official from Atlantic Canada to join the @GreenMuniFund Council and drive Canada’s transition to resilient communities. Bring your vision and drive to create lasting change! Apply now: 

🏘️ GMF’s Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative provides planning grants of up to $30,000 to assist housing providers in the early stages of sustainable affordable housing development. This funding will help get you on the right track as you progress through the next stages of energy-efficient affordable housing projects. Learn more:

The City of Markham’s Battle of the Buildings competition challenged community building staff to reduce electricity use, which led to saving $100K in electricity costs in 2018! 💡 ⚡ Discover how they did it:

Our Community Efficiency Financing initiative can help your #CDNmuni fund clean energy programs that reduce local #GHG emissions, contribute to climate adaptation and improve residents’ health and safety. ⚡ Apply for up to $500,000 in no-risk funding today:

📢 @FCM_online is looking for an elected municipal official from Atlantic Canada to join the @GreenMuniFund Council and drive Canada’s transition to resilient net-zero communities 🍁. Bring your vision and drive to create lasting change! Apply now. 

🌲 Diverse tree species are essential for a resilient urban forest. Learn actionable strategies to increase tree species diversity in your community in our factsheet: #Urbanforestry

🏘️ When a housing provider undertakes a deep energy retrofit, it can be disruptive to residents. That’s why engaging with them is an important part of the process. Watch this webinar to learn how to effectively communicate with residents during, before and after a project 📺.

Are you looking for no-risk funding to help your #CDNmuni launch a community efficiency financing program? Apply now for up to $500,000 to fund innovative studies, pilots and capital projects: