The Band Office and Daycare facilities in Kapawe'no First Nation are receiving energy and facility upgrades after an investment of more than $1.5 million from the federal government.

“The energy and building upgrades to these essential facilities through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program will support the Kapawe’no First Nation for years to come. Community members will be able to learn, gather together, and access the essential services provided in these spaces, all while helping the environment. The Band Office, Community Hall, Daycare and Head Start facilities not only bring people together, but also support the future success of the entire community by fostering essential life skills, strengthening culture, and community wellbeing.”

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

“With this new funding for our Nation Office and Daycare, we’re making big strides in energy efficiency and community services. It’s a step forward in taking care of our environment and ensuring our community thrives for generations. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”

Chief Sydney Halcrow, Kapawe’no First Nation

• The federal government is investing $1,592,811 in these projects through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program (GICB). Of this amount, $422,996 will be invested in the upgrades to the Daycare facility and the remaining $1,169,815 will support the Band Office Energy Retrofit.

• The improvements are expected to reduce the Band Office’s energy consumption by an estimated 78.1%, the Daycare’ energy consumption by 67.6% and the total greenhouse gas emissions for both buildings by 90.1 tonnes annually.

• The GICB program was created in support of Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan’s first pillar by helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change. 

• The program is providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades.

• At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

• On December 18, 2023, the federal government launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, which highlights the need for a collaborative, region-specific approach to sustainability, focusing on strengthening the coordination of federal programs, and on initiatives with significant investments. This Framework is a first step in a journey that will bring together multiple stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian prairies, has dedicated $100 million over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas identified by Prairie stakeholders to build a stronger, more sustainable, and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and all of Canada.

• Building a green Prairie economy is about working together on common interests, to make a sustainable and prosperous net-zero economy achievable.

• Infrastructure Canada is supporting the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities, leverage additional funding, and attract new investments across the Prairies that better meet their needs. 

Associated links

• Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
• Strengthened Climate Plan
• Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta
• Building a Green Prairie Economy Act
• Building a Green Prairie Economy

For more information (media only), please contact:

Micaal Ahmed
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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Web: Infrastructure Canada

Effie Anderson
Finance Manager
Kapawe'no First Nation
780-751-3800
effie@kapaweno.ca