Across the country, Canadians are feeling the impacts of climate change. By investing in renewable energy initiatives that support energy independence and economic development while lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, we can build a clean energy future that strengthens the economy, creates good, sustainable jobs and supports the natural resource sectors.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of nearly $3 million from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program for Fraser Basin Council's Energy Peers in Indigenous Communities (EPIC) Network, a capacity-building program designed to encourage Indigenous leadership in the renewable energy and electrification sectors across British Columbia.
The EPIC Network will support a group of energy champions with a peer-to-peer cohort and peer mentorship approach to building and sharing knowledge, networking and engagement, skills development and training on renewable energy with Indigenous subject matter experts.
The Network will also provide capacity-building funds to Indigenous communities to advance their community energy goals related to renewable energy and electrification. Funding is available for eight communities to hire an energy champion and to build knowledge and skills related to small-scale (under 100kW) renewable energy projects in Indigenous on-grid communities in B.C.
Working with energy champions and Indigenous communities will generate socio-economic and environmental benefits related to the renewable energy sector for under-represented Indigenous communities in B.C., while addressing energy affordability, decarbonization and increasing Indigenous community leadership.
BC Hydro, New Relationship Trust and Fortis BC also contributed to this project, bringing the total investment to over $3.3 million.
This investment is yet another step in reaching Canada's target of a net-zero grid by 2035. As with investments from clean energy to nature protection, today's announcement is part of achieving Canada's ambitious climate change goals to build a cleaner, healthier and affordable future for all Canadians.
