Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, and Dr. Joe Cloutier, Director of Education at Inner City High School, announced more than $2.9 million in federal funding to increase energy conservation through a building retrofit at Inner City High School. This educational facility provides Edmonton's Indigenous and other urban youth with a path to a brighter future.
This investment will improve the building's sustainability and help create organizational stability for the Inner City Youth Development Association (ICYDA), the non-profit Indigenous organization that manages the school. Funding will support energy-efficient renovations to reduce the school's carbon footprint and lower utility costs directly linked to the building's operation, which place a significant strain on the ICYDA's annual budget. Upgrades will include improved glazing, alternative energy sources as well as retrofits to increase the building's climate resilience and help extend its use for decades to come. These improvements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 63.3% and greenhouse gas emissions by 176 tonnes annually.
As a result, the community will be able to redirect cost-savings back into the school, which provides life-changing programming for its students through a high school education and employable skills. The school will also serve as a community showcase for clean, inclusive infrastructure and sustainable communities.
Additionally, funding will support accessibility improvements throughout the school, including the installation of powered doors in main access points, ramps at building entrances, loading and parking areas designated for persons with disabilities, and signage in both English and Cree.
By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.
