Harper Government Celebrates Clean Technology Milestone in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, Nov. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood–Transcona, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today celebrated a new milestone in New Flyer Industries' successful clean technology project in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

MP Toet participated in the launch of a fleet of four battery-electric buses and a high-capacity charging station built as part of New Flyer's Electric Transit Bus Small Fleet Pilot Project. The new fleet will begin service with the Winnipeg Transit System. This project was announced in 2012 and received $3.4 million through the Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) SD Tech Fund™. By shifting from diesel to utility-based generation, the buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and criteria air contaminants emitted by transit buses. The electric buses also have the potential to significantly reduce operating costs and total life-cycle costs when compared with diesel and hybrid buses.

MP Toet emphasized Canada's role as a global clean energy leader, while underlining the importance of clean technology innovation to Canadian jobs and economic growth.

Quick Facts

• SDTC's SD Tech Fund™ has supported 269 projects with $684 million allocated by the federal government.
• 57 of the more mature companies supported by SDTC have received $2.5 billion in follow-on financing as of December 2013, meaning that for every dollar invested by Canada in these companies the marketplace has responded with $14 of private capital.
• In 2012, Canada's GHG emissions were 5.1 percent lower than in 2005, while the economy grew by 10.6 percent during the same period.
• Canada's per-capita GHG emissions are now at their lowest level since tracking began in 1990.
• The global demand for energy is expected to grow by about one-third over the next 25 years.
• The SD Tech Fund™ supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water and clean soil, providing solutions to key Canadian industries that increase efficiency and enhance environmental responsibility.
• In Budget 2013, the Government of Canada provided an additional $325 million over eight years to SDTC for continuing to support the development and demonstration of new, clean technologies that create efficiencies for businesses and contribute to sustainable economic development. 

Quotes

"Our government is positioning Canada as a global leader in the clean technology sector by supporting innovative projects aimed at producing and using energy in cleaner and more efficient ways. This project exemplifies the work being done by our government to build our economy while benefiting our environment."

Lawrence Toet
Member of Parliament for Elmwood–Transcona

"Technologies like New Flyer's highly efficient and very clean Xcelsior battery-electric transit bus will be an important part of Canada's clean and sustainable energy future. SDTC is proud to launch innovations like this on the world stage, bolstering Canada's reputation and leadership growth in the area of clean technology. We are proud to stand beside New Flyer today and warmly congratulate the company and its consortium for reaching this milestone."

Jane Pagel
Interim President and CEO for SDTC

Backgrounder

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) Funding for New Flyer Industries

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan)

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media

SOURCE: Natural Resources Canada

Alexandra Lemieux?, Press Secretary?, Office of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, 613-996-2007; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 613-992-4447; The general public may contact: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]