Government of Canada Supports Clean Energy in Rural and Remote Communities

WINNIPEG, Feb. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - Reducing reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities will decrease Canada's carbon footprint, support climate change adaptation, contribute to healthier communities and provide new opportunities for jobs and economic growth.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jim Carr, today announced a call for proposals for the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program. The program will provide approximately $220 million in funding for initiatives to reduce reliance on diesel fuel in rural and remote communities, the majority of which are Indigenous. This funding builds on more than $53 million provided through Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and is complemented by Infrastructure Canada's $400 million Arctic Energy Fund, which is specific to the territories to help improve energy security in the North by replacing or upgrading aging fossil fuel energy infrastructure.

Today's announcement is part of the government's larger vision for Canada's clean energy future, which will provide $21.9 billion over 11 years to support green infrastructure, drive clean growth and combat climate change.

Funding of more than $600 million has been announced in the past few weeks for projects that include renewable power, smart electricity grids, alternative fuel charging stations and more energy efficient homes.

Quick Facts

Today's announcement is complemented by two milestone initiatives: the introduction of Bill C-69 on February 8 to modernize Canada's environmental assessment and regulatory processes, and this week's launch of the Rights and Recognition Framework consultations. Both of these watershed initiatives reinforce Canada's efforts to renew and repair its relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Canada is committed to clean energy, innovation and energy security as it continues to move toward a low-carbon economy. Through Generation Energy, Canadians made it clear that renewable energy and energy efficiency are critical components of Canada's energy mix. The Government of Canada is providing national leadership on climate change and growing Canada's economy by making investments in green infrastructure, clean technologies and lower-carbon transportation options.

Quotes

"We are pleased to work together with the provinces and territories on these initiatives to promote cleaner, more reliable energy supply in rural and remote communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada's North and create new opportunities for social and economic development in these communities. Our government's green infrastructure funding will also help to ensure that Canada is a global leader in the transition to a greener economy."

Jim Carr
Minister of Natural Resources

"The Government of Canada is committed to advancing clean energy and supporting the leadership of Indigenous and remote communities in the North in their own clean energy transition. The Government's investments in green infrastructures are essential to achieve these goals while establishing a clean growth economy and healthier communities. There is still a long way to go, but we are determined to get there, working in collaboration with Indigenous leadership, territorial governments and all our partners."

Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

"Reducing reliance on diesel in First Nation communities is a shared priority among Indigenous peoples, the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments. I am pleased this new funding will be accessible to remote First Nation communities to support them in finding more sustainable renewable energy solutions."

Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services

"The Government of Canada recognizes that rural and northern communities have unique infrastructure needs. We are making important investments in a broad range of infrastructure projects that provide residents with more reliable energy solutions, support more sustainable communities in the North, while also better protecting the environment."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Related Information

Reducing diesel energy in rural and remote communities 
Reducing reliance on diesel 
Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Mackenzie Radan, Acting Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 613-462-7117; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100, [email protected]; Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, 613-697-8316