Announcing the GCoM-FCM MOU

319 Canadian cities commit to furthering global climate action

Today, as we mark World Environment Day, the United Nations’ most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment, Canadians are showcasing their pride in protecting the natural environment alongside their determination to address the challenges of climate change.

As local leaders, national governments, and the global community look towards the global host country, Canada, mayors from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are officially furthering their commitment to fight climate change by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy to expand climate action.

By signing this MOU, FCM and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy are agreeing to work together to explore how FCM could deliver the Covenant in Canada and align FCM’s Partners for Climate Protection program with the Global Covenant’s 7,400+ cities committed to fighting climate change.

To date, 23 Canadian cities have committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors — catalyzing this nation-wide movement of local governments sharing a long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low emission, resilient society.

Mayors across Canada are reacting to this new partnership:

Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal

“I strongly believe in cities’ ability to affect changes in favour of a more sustainable world and I am a proud supporter of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. This first Global Covenant’s official partnership in Canada is an excellent example of the strong engagement of cities in favour of climate.”

Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton

“The City of Edmonton has been a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors since 2015. Membership in the Covenant of Mayors has helped Edmonton create important initiatives like our Community Energy Transition Strategy and development of our Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy. Canadian municipalities have always worked together to meet challenges head on, and the new partnership between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy will help us join together to combat climate change.”

John Tory, Mayor of Toronto

“A City committed to fighting climate change is a City that is committed to building transit, lifting the most vulnerable out of poverty, and ensuring the health of its residents. Toronto is overwhelmingly committed to these goals. This MOU is a bright signal that Canadian cities’ are unified in their position and are ready to tackle climate change on the world stage.”

Gregor Robertson, Mayor of Vancouver

“Cities are taking the lead in fighting climate change, and this partnership between the Global Covenant of Mayors and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will accelerate Canadian municipal collaboration and action toward a greener, more resilient future. Even when other levels of government have been slow to respond, leading cities in Canada and around the world are taking action on climate change — and showing that we can reduce our climate pollution while growing our economies.”

Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa

“Like many capital cities, Ottawa is facing a growing and changing population, shifting economic trends, new technologies and a changing climate. In line with the commitment made to the Global Covenant of Mayors in 2016, the City of Ottawa has taken a leadership role in preserving the environment. Initiatives like the LED streetlight conversion project and the construction of the Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel to improve the health of the Ottawa River will not only help reduce our energy consumption and protect our natural resources, but also provide a better quality of life for all our residents. This partnership between FCM and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is a great example of how Canadian cities are at the forefront of the fight against climate change.”

Amanda Eichel, Executive Director, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

“I’m pleased to see the Global Covenant of Mayors join forces with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to explore a deeper engagement in Canada through the Partners for Climate Protection Program. FCM’s 319 municipalities will further strengthen our growing coalition of cities collaborating to advance local leadership and climate action in every region around the globe.”

Brock Carlton, CEO, Federation of Canadian Municipalities

“Local governments are essential to fighting climate change. The FCM-ICLEI Partners for Climate Protection program brings together more than 300 Canadian municipalities taking climate action. Through this MOU, FCM and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy will work together to align our respective organizations and leverage the contributions that Canadian municipalities are making to this global challenge.”