Green and Inclusive Community Buildings grant application should not qualify for building at proposed location

Petition: 485

Issue(s): Biological diversity; Climate change; Corporate social responsibility; Human/environmental health; Natural resources

Petitioner(s): Canadian residents

Petitioner location(s): Edmonton, Alberta; Sherwood Park, Alberta

Date received: 26 May 2023

Status: Completed – Response(s) to petition received

Summary: The petition raises concerns about the Boys and Girls Club of Strathcona County’s application for the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings grant to build the club’s new facility in the residential community of Brentwood, Alberta. The petition states that the club is planning to build its new facility on a recently rezoned municipal reserve that was previously protected from development because it is occupied by 2 acres of old‑growth forest. The petition notes that several species of birds, mammals, and insects use this habitat for food, shelter, and reproduction and indicates that the construction of the new facility could negatively affect most of them. The petition indicates that the club did not consider other options, such as retrofitting an existing building or building on land that was already zoned for development.

According to the petition, the club claims that it will replace the trees and habitats lost during the facility’s construction, but the petition emphasizes that this would not be the same because conservation better maintains the ecosystem’s ecological functions and biodiversity. The petition asks whether it is environmentally responsible to cut down native forests when other viable locations that would not so negatively affect the environment or the community are available.

The petition refers to Canada’s strengthened climate plan—specifically, the plan’s fifth pillar, Embracing the Power of Nature to Support Healthier Families and More Resilient Communities. The petition argues that the project would be inconsistent with the idea of using nature as a source of mental, physical, and community health. The petition alleges that the proposed development would contradict the climate plan, which focuses on using nature and natural spaces to fight climate change with actions such as planting trees. The petitioners also state that the residents of Brentwood and surrounding communities cherish the area and that its loss would greatly affect the community. The petition highlights the importance of setting an example for younger generations in terms of aligning government practices with concrete actions to tackle climate change.

According to the petition, the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings 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 and underserved communities across Canada. The petition questions whether the club should be eligible for the grant that it has applied for, as Strathcona County is not a high‑needs community and Sherwood Park is not considered to be an underserved community. Furthermore, if a grant is awarded to the club, the petition asks whether the grant can be on the condition that another location is chosen.

Federal departments/organizations responsible for reply: Infrastructure Canada