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Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program



The GICB Program is a 5-year, $1.5 billion federal funding program by Infrastructure Canada, a department of the Government of Canada. The program supports green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings, and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings that serve high needs, underserved communities across Canada. The main objective of the government program is to improve the availability and condition of community buildings, whilst advancing climate priorities through energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are two types of eligible projects:  

  1. Retrofits, repairs and upgrades to existing buildings 

  1. Construction of new buildings 

Who is eligible to apply? 

  • Municipal or regional governments 

  • Public sector bodies 

  • Not-for-profit organizations 

  • Provincial or territorial governments 

  • Indigenous recipients 

What are the requirements?

  • Non-commercial community-oriented that provides open, available, and publicly-accessible community services  

  • Located in an area with underserved populations experiencing higher needs   

  • Project implemented no earlier than April 1st, 2021, and no later than March 31st, 2026  

  • Must submit building information using RETScreen® Expert software  

  • Impacts of climate change have been assessed and considered for the project 

Types of Projects:

Retrofits, repairs and upgrades to existing buildings 

  • Eligible retrofits must include green retrofit measures, and measures that increase the overall accessibility and/or safety of the building  

  • Green retrofit measures – measures that renovate, upgrade, and/or repair aspects of a physical building in a way that improves environmental outcomes 

  • Evaluation Metrics: 

  • Construction start date  

  • Located in and demonstrates the ability to serve one or more communities with high needs  

  • Increased accessibility  

  • GHG Reductions  

  • Energy Savings  

  • Climate resiliency and best practices adoption  

  • Confidence in delivery/risk

Construction of new buildings 

  • New construction projects will be required to meet the following minimum standards:  

  • Built to be net-zero carbon or  

  • Built to be net-zero-carbon-ready or  

  • Be exempt from net-zero-carbon and net-zero-carbon-ready and built to the highest standard 

  • Evaluation Metrics: 

  • Construction start date  

  • Located in and demonstrates the ability to serve one or more communities with high needs  

  • Increased accessibility  

  • Net-zero performance standard  

  • Climate resiliency and best practices adoption  

  • Confidence in delivery/risk 

How much of my costs will this program cover? 

Total Eligible Project Cost

General program (up to % max from program)

In the territories and for Indigenous communities (up to % max from program)

Retrofits up to $9,999,999

80%

100%

Retrofits costs $10,000,000+

60%

100%

New builds up to first $9,999,999 of costs

60%

100%

New builds costs $10,000,000+

50%

100%


Connect with a Net Zero Specialist

1-866-572-2395 or by Email 

Community Buildings Retrofit (CBR) Program
 
 
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The CBR program is a $167 million initiative administered through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund. The program helps to optimize the energy performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of community buildings owned by municipalities and not-for-profit organizations. There are five available funding streams: 

  1. Community Building Monitoring and Analysis Grant 

  1. Community Building Recommissioning Grant 

  1. GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Studies 

  1. GHG Impact Retrofit Capital Projects 

  1. GHG Reduction Pathway Retrofit Capital Projects 

Who is eligible to apply? 

  • Canadian municipal governments  

  • With exception of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) namesake municipalities: the cities of Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, and the Halifax Regional Municipality  

  • Municipal partners  

  • private-sector entities 

  • Indigenous communities 

  • municipally owned corporations  

  • regional, provincial or territorial organizations delivering municipal services 

  • non-governmental organizations  

  • not-for-profit organizations  

  • research institutes (e.g., universities)  

* Quebec municipalities are currently ineligible 


What types of buildings are eligible? 

CBR funding is available for projects that focus on community buildings. Community buildings are defined as: an enclosed public place or enclosed workplace that is:  

  • Owned by a municipal government or not-for-profit organization 

  • Primarily used to provide athletic, recreational, cultural and community programs or services to the local community 

  • Widely accessible to everyone, offering services that enhance the health and well-being, skills development, and economic development of individuals and communities 

Types of Projects & Requirements: 

Community Building Monitoring and Analysis Grant 

  • Community buildings that do not have a building monitoring and analysis system in place 

Community Building Recommissioning Grant 

  • Building owners identify problems and integration issues as well as low- or no-cost operational improvements to improve comfort for building users and save energy 

GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Studies 

  • Feasibility study must aim to reduce GHG emissions by at least 50% compared to current or baseline performance within 10 years, and by at least 80% within 20 years 

GHG Impact Retrofit Capital Projects 

  • Project must aim to reduce GHG emissions by at least 30% compared to current or baseline performance 

GHG Reduction Pathway Retrofit Capital Projects 

  • Capital project must be supported by a GHG reduction pathway feasibility study or equivalent 

  • Application must include the phase(s)/measure(s) identified in the pathway that are sequenced to achieve near net-zero GHG emissions within 20 years

 

How much of my costs will this program cover? 

Funding Stream

Available Funding

Community Building Monitoring and Analysis Grant

  • Grant up to 80% of eligible costs

  • Up to $25,000

Community Building Recommissioning Grant

  • Grant up to 60% of eligible costs

  • Up to $55,000

GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Studies

  • Grant up to 80% of eligible costs

  • Up to $65,000 for a single building, $200,000 for portfolio buildings

GHG Impact Retrofit Capital Projects

  • Combined grant and loan for up to 80% of eligible costs

  • Max of $5 million per project

GHG Reduction Pathway Retrofit Capital Projects

  • Combined grant and loan for up to 80% of eligible costs

  • Max of $5 million per project


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