Overview

The Municipal GHG Challenge Fund is a multi-phase program funded by proceeds from Ontario’s carbon market that supports community-led action on climate change.

The competitive application-based program is funding up to 100% of eligible costs for greenhouse gas emission reduction projects proposed by municipalities.

The application intake period for a second round of funding is now open. Consult the Municipal GHG Challenge Fund Program Guide to see if your project is eligible or access a Municipal GHG Challenge Fund Application.

Projects of the Municipal Challenge Fund

Etobicoke Civic Precinct Low-Carbon Thermal Energy Network

In partnership with Enwave Energy Corporation and Build Toronto, the City of Toronto will develop a near-zero emissions heating network for a City-owned brownfield development, planned to be Toronto’s first net zero carbon community.

Dufferin Organics Processing Facility Biogas Upgrade

The City of Toronto’s Solid Waste Management Services is upgrading its facility to increase the use of renewable energy to process biodegradable materials.

Toronto’s Green Fleet Project

The City of Toronto is converting part of its corporate fleet, including vehicles used by the fire and paramedic services to low-carbon vehicles that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

Mount Dennis Net Zero Early Learning and Child Care Centre

Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre will be the City of Toronto’s first net zero carbon facility. The design and renewable energy system will minimize greenhouse emissions from the building.

Yonge and Eglinton Low-Carbon Thermal Energy Network

In partnership with Enwave Energy Corporation, Build Toronto and Oxford Properties, the City of Toronto is developing a hybrid geo-exchange heating network as part of a redevelopment of the city-owned Canada Square.

Toronto Transit Commission Battery Electric Buses

The Toronto Transit Commission is replacing 30 low sulfur diesel buses with 30 battery electric buses to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from public transportation.

St. Lawrence Market North Geo-Exchange System

The City of Toronto is installing a renewable geo-exchange heating system in the new St. Lawrence Market Building to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the historical site.

Scarborough Village Low-Carbon Thermal Energy Network

In partnership with Enwave Energy Corporation, Build Toronto and Options for Homes, the City of Toronto is developing a near zero carbon emissions heating network for an affordable housing development.

Toronto Emergency Medical Services Building Retrofit

The Toronto Headquarters of Emergency Medical Services is doing a building-wide upgrade to replace existing heating and cooling systems to improve energy efficiency.

Liberty Village Low-Carbon Thermal Energy Network

In partnership with Enwave Energy Corporation, the City of Toronto is developing a geo-exchange heating network to serve seven existing condominium buildings in Liberty Village.

Haliburton Village Community Bioheat System

The downtown of Haliburton Village is introducing a wood-fuelled, district energy system. This will provide clean, low-carbon heat, generated from local wood energy chips.

Region of Peel Anaerobic Digestion Facility

The Region of Peel is developing a new facility to meet current and future needs for processing organic waste. The facility will produce biogas, which will be refined into renewable natural gas.

Wastewater Treatment Facility Digester Gas Storage

The City of Guelph is designing and installing digester gas storage capacity at its wastewater treatment facility to allow for storage during high digester gas production times and for use during low digester gas production times. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions immediately due to a reduction in unnecessary flaring and a decrease in natural gas consumption.

Processing Organic & Septage

The Town of Chatsworth is increasing its ability to process organic waste and reduce greenhouse emissions from landfill.

Albert and Slater Streets Revitalization

The City of Ottawa is converting a 2.5 kilometre section of a former bus Transitway into a “complete street” that will be pedestrian and cycling friendly, enhancing active and sustainable transportation.

City of Kingston’s Fleet Maintenance Garage

The City of Kingston is building a new energy-efficient fleet maintenance garage design with ventilation air heat recovery, a high performance building envelope, LED lighting, geothermal heating system and rooftop solar panels to create to achieve close to net-zero carbon emission targets.

Energy Conservation Measures at Lakefield Arena

The Township of Selwyn is installing energy conservation measures such as LED light fixtures, ‘realice’ advance technology ice-treatment and new heating system at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre to save on energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Bike Share System for London

This project is kick starting a bike share system in London, and includes the purchase of at least 300 bikes across 38 stations. The system is expected to have 6000 users in the first year of operation.

Mary Pitt Centre in Ottawa

This recreational facility is upgrading its electric boiler so it can supply thermal energy to the building, decreasing the use of carbon-intensive gas-generated heating.

Ottawa City Hall Heating System

The City of Ottawa is installing an efficient heating system that will distribute heat evenly in all areas of the building, reducing power and water use and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ottawa Walter Baker Sports Centre

This recreational facility in the City of Ottawa is upgrading its electric boiler to supply a significant amount of thermal energy to the building, decreasing the use of more carbon-intensive gas-generated heating.

110 Iber Road Works Yard

The City of Ottawa is installing a heat recovery system in a public works facility. This energy conservation project will help reduce both energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Facility Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project

The City of Thunder Bay is transforming some of its energy intensive facilities to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease total operating and maintenance costs for the municipality.

Health Centre Energy Reduction Project

The Township of Pickle Lake will replace dated and out-of-service furnaces at the Health Centre with a zero-emissions heating supply that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Landfill Leachate Forcemain Installation

The Town of Blue Mountains is replacing diesel transportation trucks with electric pumps to carry leachate from its landfill to the wastewater collection system. Eliminating hundreds of trips with diesel trucks will reduce the use of carbon-intensive fossil fuels.

Source Separated Organics Collection and Composting Project

The City of Peterborough is developing a centralized composting facility to allow more waste to be included in the composting program and reduce greenhouse emissions from landfill.

Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness

The Town of Caledon is replacing older boilers with high-efficiency condensing systems and making improvements to facilities by installing automation systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Modernizing the Hornepayne’s Community Arena

The Township of Hornepayne is upgrading the community’s arena. The efficiencies created with these renovations will help reduce operational costs, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

London’s Fuel Switching Project - Diesel to CNG Transition

The City of London is expanding its use of compressed natural gas vehicles in its fleet by expanding vehicle maintenance infrastructure and building fueling stations. Using more renewable energy in its transportation will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Funding Program Application

We are now accepting application for a second phase of project funding. Any kind of municipal project that reduces greenhouse gas emissions in any sector, including buildings, energy supply, transportation, water, waste and organics could be eligible. Consult the Municipal GHG Challenge Fund Program Guide to see if your project is eligible or access a Municipal GHG Challenge Fund Application.