Deputy Prime Minister announces $2.8 million to improve Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works

From: Department of Finance Canada

News release

November 16, 2023 - Toronto, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

Today in Toronto, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced a joint investment of $2.8 million to retrofit Evergreen Brick Works and ensure it continues being an important community recreation hub for generations of Torontonians to come.

This joint investment in Evergreen Brick Works includes nearly $2 million from the federal government and about $800,000 from Evergreen—a national non-profit incorporated in 1991 dedicated to creating healthy environments—which will help improve the 8,000-square-foot heritage building’s energy efficiency, enhance ravine access, and create new dedicated spaces for Indigenous and youth programming.

Located in the heart of Toronto’s ravine system, the Brick Works is a former industrial brick factory that Evergreen transformed in 2010 into Canada’s first large scale community environmental centre, which has since become an internationally renowned showcase of green design. Once improvements are completed in 2025, Evergreen Brick Works will be able to offer even more open and accessible programming and amenities to its more than 500,000 annual visitors.

Renovations will improve energy efficiency by upgrading the facility’s HVAC system, building controls, windows, doors, roof, and floors, generating significant energy savings. These improvements are expected to reduce the facility’s energy consumption by an estimated 58.1 per cent and decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by 14.2 tonnes annually. Annual energy cost reductions will allow Evergreen to direct more funding towards enhanced programming for Torontonians.

These investments will ensure Evergreen Brick Works continues to be an important community recreation centre in the heart of Toronto’s ravine system, while protecting the environment and reducing emissions to the benefit of all Canadians.

Quotes

“Evergreen Brick Works is an important community space for Torontonians that makes Toronto’s ravine system more accessible to everyone. Today’s investment in Evergreen Brick Works’ future as a world-class, sustainable community centre is just another example of how our government is building more resilient and inclusive communities, while also fighting climate change.”

- The Honourable Chrystia Freeland,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

“Investments like the one announced today for the Green Ravine Centre in Toronto highlight our commitment to taking actions to combat climate change. The centre provides programming to Toronto residents and is an inclusive space that fosters community. Today’s funding will result in better energy efficiency in the building.”

- The Honourable Sean Fraser,
Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“We are thrilled to receive this investment from the federal government to improve the energy efficiency and operations of the new Ravine Centre at Evergreen Brick Works. As a thriving public space and showcase for sustainability, these improvements will increase access to free programming that helps visitors engage with nature and connect to Toronto’s expansive ravine system. We look forward to collaborating with partners and friends to ensure this space honours the past and meets the needs of the future.”

- Jennifer Angel,
Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada is investing $1,996,800 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. Evergreen Brick Works is contributing $811,201.

  • Today’s investment builds on the federal government’s $6.5 million investment in Evergreen Brick Works in 2018, through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

  • In Budget 2021, the federal government announced the $200 million Natural Infrastructure Fund, which provided $20 million to advance the City of Toronto’s Ravine Strategy.

  • The $1.5 billion Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program has supported green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings, while also helping Canada stay on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

    • At least 10 per cent of Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program funding was dedicated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.
    • The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program was created in support of Canada’s climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, supporting the Plan’s first pillar by increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and making community infrastructure more climate resilient. 

Associated links

Contacts

Media may contact:

Katherine Cuplinskas
Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Katherine.Cuplinskas@fin.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
mediare@fin.gc.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries:

Phone: 1-833-712-2292
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca

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Micaal Ahmed (he/him/il)

Communications Manager
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
343-598-3920
micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca

Media Relations

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
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Toby Davine

Manager, Public Relations and Communications
Evergreen
416-596-1495 extension 364
tdavine@evergreen.ca

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