Indigenous partners, the original stewards of land, water, and ice, are producing green energy and making significant contributions to lowering Canada's greenhouse gas emissions through Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy projects. Supporting Indigenous climate leadership is key to helping Canada meet its 2030 emissions reduction target and net-zero emissions by 2050.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the launch of the Indigenous Leadership Fund, a new program developed in collaboration with First Nations representatives, Inuit organizations, and Métis governments. The Indigenous Leadership Fund provides up to $180 million to support Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects led by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. As of October 30, 2023, up to $73.9 million will be available for First Nations-led projects through a continuous intake process that will be open until March 31, 2027. The Métis and Inuit funding is being delivered over six years, starting from 2023, using a directed intake process.
The Minister was joined by Greg Gauchier, Chairman, Peavine Metis Settlement in Alberta; and Jeff Thrasher, General Manager, Evergreen BioHeat, representing the Tl'etinqox Community Bioheat Project in British Columbia, to highlight their leadership in climate change mitigation, as well as their remarkable accomplishments in transitioning to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, including:
- The Peavine Community Solar Farm Project received a federal investment of up to $8.5 million to install a solar system which will be tied to the Alberta grid, and which will offset a portion of Peavine Metis Settlement's electricity needs.
- The Tl'etinqox Community Bioheat Project received a federal investment of over $1.8 million to install a biomass heating system to displace all the propane used in eight community buildings, a church, and a healing centre within the community.
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have been leading the way on clean energy and making significant contributions to lowering greenhouse gas emissions as partners or beneficiaries of almost 20 percent of Canada's electricity infrastructure. Investments in climate action initiatives, such as those announced today, reaffirm the Government of Canada's commitment to fight climate change in partnership with Indigenous peoples, and its efforts to support reconciliation and integrate Indigenous Knowledge and perspective in the work toward a sustainable future for all.
