Today, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) launched a new program to help municipalities better understand, navigate and reduce the barriers to brownfield redevelopment. FCM unveiled the program at the Canadian Brownfields Network’s annual conference in Toronto, ON.
A brownfield is an abandoned, underused or contaminated commercial, institutional or industrial property where past activities have led to real or perceived health and safety issues. Redeveloping these sites addresses environmental concerns, boosts local economies and revitalizes neighbourhoods.
Offered through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF), the Leadership in Brownfield Renewal (LiBRe) program will bring municipal practitioners together in a collaborative peer learning environment through which they will gain knowledge and skills to better facilitate brownfield redevelopment in their communities. Developed following a successful two-year pilot, the new program will help municipalities overcome common barriers to brownfield redevelopment, including risks and uncertainties associated with remediation costs, complex approval processes, potential liabilities and financing challenges.
FCM invites all municipalities committed to brownfield redevelopment — from those ready to start taking action, to those with experience in revitalizing underused sites — to join LiBRe as soon as possible for activities starting in September. Members will benefit from peer learning activities, workshops and networking opportunities, as well as tailored knowledge resources that centre on a seven-step best practices framework. LiBRe membership is free of charge and open to any municipality, large or small, that pledges to: support brownfield redevelopment; make progress through the LiBRe best practices framework; and share their progress through an annual program report.
Interested municipalities may contact Peter Farrell at pfarrel@fcm.ca or 613-907-6382. Participating communities will be announced at a later date.
You can find more information on the LiBRe website, including a program overview, a membership form, a best practices framework, and an overview of GMF funding for brownfields.
