The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities have announced a $67 million investment to support urban forestry projects across Canada.
As part of this investment, $211,150 in funding was contributed toward the planting of 72 trees as part of the boulevard greening component of the Sifton Lane Sewer Main Upgrades & Hwy 5A Multi-Use Pathway Project, helping enhance the pathway and expand the city’s urban tree canopy.
The funding comes from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative, which helps communities plant the right type of trees in the right places to bring multiple benefits to communities and support the accessible, ambitious, resilient, and equitable expansion of community canopies. Announced in May 2024, GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031 while offering funding, resources and coaching to communities.
“FCM is proud to support the City of Kamloop’s transformative tree-planting project,” said Tim Tierney, FCM President. “Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we’re helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come.”
“Whether they are providing shade on a hot summer day, improving local green spaces, or bringing people together outdoors, trees make our communities better places to live,” said Secretary of State (Nature), the Honourable Nathalie Provost. “Together, we are helping communities expand their green spaces, providing lasting environmental and community benefits. The trees being planted will provide greater shade and comfort, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable community.”
Did you know? Urban trees provide social, health, environmental, and economic benefits, from removing atmospheric carbon dioxide and absorbing air pollutants to reducing energy consumption and increasing property values.
Did you know? The City’s Parks team maintains nearly 17,000 trees in parks and on boulevards. The city’s tree canopy is currently 17%, with a goal of increasing it to 20%.
Did you know? Our urban forest is a key element of green infrastructure. Without a healthy urban forest, Kamloops would not achieve its sustainable goals of environmental integrity, social well-being, and economic vibrancy.
Did you know? This year alone, 688 trees coupons were redeemed through the City’s Tree Coupon Program, including 452 fruit- or nut-producing trees. That means more trees, more shade, and an ever-growing urban tree inventory.
Take the self-guided Urban Tree Walking Tour and watch the Urban Tree Tour Video.
About the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization that leverages investments from the Government of Canada to provide funding and education to municipalities, helping them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.
The Green Municipal Fund’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies is a $291 million initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.
