Governments of Canada and Northwest Territories announce funding to fight climate change and save money for homeowners, businesses, and communities Français
YELLOWKNIFE, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadians need help in making their homes and businesses more energy efficient and investing in solutions that can help fight climate change. The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories are working together to support residents and businesses in these efforts.
Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, joined the Minister of Infrastructure, Wally Schumann, and the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Robert C. McLeod, to announce a federal investment of over $23 million for programs that will support energy efficiency retrofits, renewable energy, and forest regeneration.
The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will support five Northwest Territories programs that take climate action:
- New and enhanced Arctic Energy Alliance programs and services will expand existing initiatives and create new energy efficiency programs for commercial and residential buildings, such as energy rebates and incentives, winterization upgrades for low-income owner-occupied homes, and new electric heat incentives for commercial buildings.
- Energy efficiency upgrades for public housing will support energy efficiency and heating-fuel substitution in territorially owned public housing.
- A government greenhouse gas fund will support larger energy efficiency retrofits in territorial, community, and Indigenous government buildings.
- Active carbon sequestration in forestry will focus on forest regeneration and maximizing forest growth.
- Energy efficiency upgrades to the Government of Northwest Territories's marine vessels will support energy efficiency upgrades and reduce emissions of two ferries and one tugboat in its fleet.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is investing an additional $7.4 million to support these programs, which help families and businesses make environmentally friendly changes that benefit the economy and the environment.
The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund provides $1.4 billion to provinces and territories that have adopted Canada's clean-growth and climate action plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework, to deliver on commitments that tackle climate change, increase economic growth, and create good middle-class jobs.
Quotes
"The Northwest Territories is taking serious steps to fight climate change, including a plan that prices carbon pollution. That's why the Government of Canada is helping the territory invest in practical solutions. Improving energy efficiency helps cut energy costs for homeowners and businesses while creating good middle-class jobs and reducing pollution. Investing in the health of our forests is similarly important for avoiding the worse effects of climate change. Together, they will help protect our environment and strengthen the Northwest Territories's economy today and for generations to come."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Canada
"By partnering with the Government of Canada through the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, we are implementing our long-term approach to a secure, sustainable, and affordable energy system that is less dependent on fossil fuels and that contributes to the well-being of the territory and its residents."
– Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories
"By working with Canada and our other partners, the Government of the Northwest Territories can transition the Northwest Territories to a lower carbon economy, build a sustainable energy system, and strengthen our understanding of the short-term and long-term effects of climate change."
– Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will make homes and buildings more efficient, comfortable, and affordable to run; will help companies across Canada innovate as well as access technologies; and will support the forest and agriculture sectors enhance stored carbon in forests and soils.
- The Low Carbon Economy Challenge's Partnership stream will open for proposals in late 2018 or early 2019.
- The Low Carbon Economy Fund investment will enhance Arctic Energy Alliance programs and services.
- The Government of the Northwest Territories's 2030 Energy Strategy sets a long-term vision for secure, affordable, and sustainable energy systems in the Northwest Territories.
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Associated Links
- Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
- 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework
- 2030 Energy Strategy
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Contacts: Caroline Thériault, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 613-462-5473, [email protected]; Charlotte Digness, Media and Communications Coordinator, Government of the Northwest Territories, 867-767-9140 ext. 11092, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]
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