Government of Canada invests in green production of highly recyclable plastics

Investment will help bring first-of-its-kind plant to Canada and secure 2,175 jobs

FORT SASKATCHEWAN, AB, March 7, 2019 /CNW/ - In Canada, environmental leadership and economic growth go hand in hand. The Government of Canada recognizes the opportunities offered by clean technologies in Canada's innovative resource industries. Investing in the cleaner production of plastic products helps make the most of Canada's resources while protecting the environment for future generations.

Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced a commitment of $49 million to Inter Pipeline, a Canadian company building the $3.5-billion Heartland Petrochemical Complex in Strathcona County, Alberta.  

As part of Canada's $1.6-billion plan to support jobs and workers in Canada's oil and gas sector, this investment will help create 175 new jobs while securing 2,000 construction jobs for the life of the project. 

Inter Pipeline will take abundant, low-priced Canadian propane and produce high-quality polypropylene—one of the most widely used plastics in the world for its durability and its recyclability. It is estimated that Inter Pipeline's process of converting propane into polypropylene will displace 1.75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. This project will open new markets and opportunities as polypropylene is not currently produced in Canada.

Thanks in part to this federal support, Inter Pipeline will also invest in the skills of the future by increasing its number of co-op positions for post-secondary students, invest in increased opportunities for women in trades and continue investing in R&D. Inter Pipeline will also invest $10 million in efforts to reduce plastic waste, including the reduction of microplastics in water, as a contribution to Canada's environmental goals. 

Quotes

"Our government is stepping up to support innovation and job creation in Canada's resource industries. This investment in Inter Pipeline will create good middle-class jobs, reduce the environmental impact of plastic production, and open new markets and opportunities for Canadians in the oil and gas sector."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Canadians want our resources to be developed in a way that will grow our economy, create good jobs and protect the environment. That is why we are excited to invest in Inter Pipeline's plant, which will convert propane into high-value polypropylene and displace 1.75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. This is just one way our government is working to support hard-working Albertans in the oil and gas sector."
– The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources

"Our government is supporting good jobs for hard-working Albertans. This investment in Inter Pipeline will grow our economy, protect the environment and support innovation in our petrochemical industry. We're thrilled that Albertans will benefit from 175 new jobs, more co-op opportunities for post-secondary students, more opportunities for women in trades and stronger efforts to reduce plastic waste."
– Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre

"Adding value to our resources gives us global market access with high-value products. We are pleased the Government of Canada recognizes this opportunity and has worked with us to help make investments like this competitive. Moreover, it shows a commitment to the thousands of people employed by this project over the next three years of construction and decades of operation."
– David Chappell, Senior Vice-President, Petrochemical Development, Inter Pipeline

Quick facts

• Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Inter Pipeline employs 830 people in Canada.
• This federal investment is being made through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a program designed to attract and support high-quality business investments in Canada's most dynamic and innovative sectors, and will support a subset of the facility totalling $1.45 billion in project costs.
• In addition to the Strategic Innovation Fund, there are hundreds of programs and services to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy. With its simple, story-based user interface, the Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about two minutes.

Associated links

• Strategic Innovation Fund

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Dani Keenan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-1710; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [e-mail]