Ontario Helping Colleges and Universities Fight Climate Change and Improve Energy Efficiency
Ontario is reducing greenhouse gas pollution and supporting student achievement by investing in energy improvements at college and university campuses across the province. This investment is part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan and is funded by proceeds from the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market.
Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, was joined by Chris Ballard, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, at the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto today to announce funding for publicly-assisted colleges and universities to improve the energy efficiency of their campuses, including funding for:
- Installing energy-efficient windows and high-efficiency boiler replacements
- Larger retrofits, upgrades and new construction for projects that achieve significant emissions reductions and/or demonstrate innovative approaches to increase campus sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas pollution
- Projects that reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs through interest-free loans
Ontario’s carbon market proceeds are required by law to be invested in programs that help households, businesses and public institutions reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
Supporting Ontario’s colleges and universities to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
“Ontario’s colleges and universities are some of the best places in the world to study. By investing in repairs and retrofits on campuses across the province that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency, we can extend the life of valuable infrastructure and provide students with the best possible learning environment to pursue their goals and achieve their potential.”
“This investment is another example of how our Climate Change Action Plan and carbon market work together to help cut our greenhouse gas pollution while making life better for Ontario residents. This program gives our colleges and universities an opportunity to modernize their campuses, increase the comfort of their students and inspire future generations to help build our low-carbon economy.”
