New $155-Million Clean Growth Program Launched to Address Climate Change

OTTAWA, Nov. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - Building a clean-growth economy starts with sustainable and globally-competitive natural resource sectors that create good, middle-class jobs and prosperity for Canadians. Smart investments in clean technology can build on this Canadian advantage, ensure we meet our climate change commitments and create new opportunities and markets for our ingenuity and know-how.

The Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $155-million program that will fund clean technology projects in the areas of energy, mining and forestry, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental outcomes.

The new Clean Growth Program is the first of its kind to promote and require collaboration with the provinces and territories. It will focus on five areas:

• Reducing greenhouse gas and air emissions from natural resource operations;
• Minimizing landscape disturbances and improving waste management in natural resource operations;
• The production and use of advanced materials and bioproducts in natural resource operations;
• Efficient energy use and productivity in natural resource operations; and
• Reducing water use and impacts on aquatic ecosystems from natural resource operations.

The program will build on the momentum of last month's cutting-edge Generation Energy forum in Winnipeg, where the public, top experts, industry representatives, traditional and emerging energy sectors, and Indigenous and community leaders from across Canada and around the globe discussed their vision for Canada's low-carbon energy needed for future generations.

It is an example of our Government's new collaborative approach, which involves leveraging investment in publicly funded research, laboratories and programs to better promote clean technologies.

Budget 2017 committed $200 million to encourage clean technology in the natural resource sectors. Natural Resources Canada will deliver $155 million of this funding under the Clean Growth Program. The remaining $45 million will support clean technology research and the development, demonstration and adoption of clean technology through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Funding is open to natural resources and clean technology firms, federal researchers, Indigenous organizations and groups, and post-secondary institutions. For more information, visit https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/20254.

Quotes

"Clean growth is good for our planet and our economy. It also plays to Canada's competitive advantage with the clean technology innovation that will make our country a global leader in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Strategically developing and using clean technologies in our natural resource sectors is one more way we can make Canada stronger and more sustainable, future-proof our economy and create new opportunities for generations to come."   

Jim Carr
Minister of Natural Resources

"Canadians understand the need to protect the environment and strengthen the economy today and for our children and grandchildren. And through smart and strategic investments like these, Canada is reducing carbon pollution, spurring the clean-growth economy and creating middle-class jobs that pay well."

Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Canadian farmers are great stewards of the land and the environment. Our government is committed to helping our farmers be world leaders in the use of clean and sustainable technology."

Lawrence MacAulay
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"From our biggest cities to our most remote communities, our investments in green infrastructure aim to rebuild Canada. We're helping Canadian businesses grow and innovate by funding clean technology initiatives, and, together, we're building a hub where clean tech businesses can find the support they need."

Amarjeet Sohi
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Associated Links

• Clean Growth Program video
• Clean Growth Program web page
• Generation Energy

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada