May 28, 2019 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Natural Resources Canada
Investments in clean energy and cleantech create new opportunities and jobs for middle-class Canadians, including those in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. These investments are helping Canadians grow our economy, fight climate change and leave a healthy planet for our kids and grandkids.
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today discussed Canada's ongoing investments in our clean energy future - one with good, middle-class jobs and a strong, clean energy economy where Canada remains a destination of choice for international investors.
Four key principles continue to guide Canada's actions in developing a clean energy economy. They are:
- Powering Clean Communities through more solar and wind farms; more hydro, tidal and geothermal power; and more battery storage for renewable power;
- Using More Renewable Fuels such as hydrogen, renewable natural gas and biomass;
- Powering the World by developing Canada's resources in even more sustainable ways, including cleaner oil and gas, and bringing those resources to world markets; and
- Saving Energy as the most affordable way to save money and cut pollution.
Minister Sohi also highlighted the importance of continuing to develop Canadian energy in partnership with Indigenous peoples. No relationship is more important to the Government of Canada than the one with Indigenous peoples, and we will continue to work together toward a cleaner energy economy.
Canada's investments in our energy future are guided by the work of the Generation Energy Council, which proposed pathways for the Government of Canada on how to move forward toward a strong, clean energy economy.
To highlight the Government's approach, Minister Sohi announced investments under each of the four energy principles. They are:
- An investment of $10.4 million for Skidegate Band Council and Old Massett Village Council to begin transitioning Haida Gwaii to 100 percent renewable energy - bringing clean power to communities by expanding an existing hydroelectricity installation and deploying a solar photovoltaic and energy storage system to significantly reduce diesel fuel use.
- An investment of $1.5 million for Esk'etemc First Nation to help expand their wood-based biomass district heating system in Alkali Lake, B.C. - helping them use more renewable fuels.
- An investment of $1.5 million for Carbon Upcycling to test its carbon nanoplatelet production technology from CO2 emissions - a process that makes powering the world more sustainable.
- An investment of $2.1 million for Qikiqtaaluk Properties Inc. for a deep-energy retrofit of Nunavut's Arctic College residence building to save energy and cut pollution.
The Minister made his comments at the Clean Energy and Mission Innovation Ministerial meetings in Vancouver, where ministers, high-level officials and business leaders from over 25 countries gathered to accelerate progress toward a clean energy future.
"Canada's energy future is driven by innovation and responsiveness to climate change, and is informed by Generation Energy, the largest national conversation about energy in our country's history. This is the moment to spur innovation, create jobs, foster competitiveness, lift up workers and their families and grow a prosperous economy that supports our environment for generations to come."
Amarjeet Sohi
Minister of Natural Resources
"SysEne is proud to be part of developing Esk'etemc's district heat system and chipping enterprise. Programs like Canada's Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities help launch projects like Esk'etemc's, which will make use of a natural resource that would otherwise be wasted to reduce GHG emissions, provide economic opportunity to the band members and promote the energy autonomy of the Esk'etemc First Nation."
Chris Norman, P.Eng.
Esk'etemc First Nation
"It's a very exciting time for Haida Gwaii, and the timing is right to do our part as we move to Renewable Energy."
William Yovanovich, SBC Chief Councillor
Skidegate Band Council
"Nunavut is experiencing first-hand the environmental impacts of the world's energy consumption. Qikiqtaaluk Corporation is committed to leading the transition from Nunavut's reliance on diesel to a more diversified and clean energy environment. NRCan investments demonstrate the Government's commitment to building partnerships with Indigenous organizations and building clean communities."
Harry Flaherty, President and CEO
Qikiqtaaluk Corporation
"Carbon Upcycling Technologies is honoured to be part of this mission to build a cleaner world. As we shift toward a world powered by sustainable energy, there is a need to close the loop on our emissions. Our objective is to convert the pollution of today into the materials of tomorrow and make CO2 a green, economically viable solution. The continued support from Natural Resources Canada will aid us in validating our thesis that carbon is a versatile material that will play a role in making this vision a reality."
Apoorv Sinha, CEO/Founder
Carbon Upcycling Technologies
