Governments of Canada and Alberta invest in cutting-edge clean technologies to encourage clean growth

Minister Sohi and Minister Gray announce $28.8 million for 11 clean technology projects

EDMONTON, AB, Nov. 3, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians will benefit from a healthier environment and new business opportunities created across Canada thanks to the federal and provincial funding announced today for clean technology development.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced a federal government investment of $13.5 million, through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), to advance technologies being developed by small and medium-sized clean tech enterprises. Government of Alberta funding of $15.3 million, through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and Alberta Innovates, was also announced today by the Honourable Christina Gray, Minister of Labour and Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal, on behalf of Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, for a total investment of $28.8 million in 11 Canadian clean tech businesses.

The funded projects will result in lower greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner methods for oil and gas mining, better energy efficiency in buildings, and other environmental and economic benefits that ensure the health of our communities.

Investments include:

• $10 million ($5 million each from federal and provincial governments) for Acceleware Ltd. to develop energy-efficient ways to explore for oil deposits;
• $8.2 million ($3.2 million federal, $5 million provincial) for PurLucid Treatment Solutions, Inc. to develop a new process to cool steam created during oil production, reducing energy demand and lowering costs;
• $2.4 million ($1.2 million each from federal and provincial governments) for Mariner Partners Inc. to develop software to improve energy efficiency in smart buildings;
• $1.9 million ($982,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Calscan Solutions to develop new control systems to eliminate methane emissions from pneumatic equipment;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Agar Corporation, Ltd. to develop new systems for water treatment in oil extraction operations;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for waterStrider Treatment Inc. to develop a new process to treat water recovered during oil and gas production;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Saltworks Technologies Inc. to build a water desalination plant to eliminate the freshwater needed for oil production;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Forward Water Technologies to develop a new water treatment process to lower costs and reduce the need for wastewater disposal during oil production;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc. to develop a new process to reuse water in oilfield operations and reduce the demand for freshwater;
• $950,000 ($475,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Fossil Water Corporation to adapt water treatment processes to reduce costs associated with the transport and disposal of wastewater produced during oil production; and
• $322,000 ($161,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for SewerVUE Technology Corp. to develop new technologies to detect failing asbestos cement pipes.

These projects were selected through two joint calls, one involving SDTC and ERA and the other, SDTC and Alberta Innovates.

Investments in clean technology are part of the federal government's Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

Quotes

"Our government's investments in clean technology reflect our commitment to innovation and protecting the environment. Being innovative and investing in the clean tech sector leads to the development of products and services that benefit all sectors of the economy and creates thousands of well-paying jobs for Canadians. I'm pleased to see the federal government and Alberta collaborate on these important investments in the health of our communities."
? The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Working with Alberta businesses on technology that makes our province greener is creating hundreds of jobs and helping diversify our economy. Together we will continue to ensure Alberta is the economic and environmental leader the world needs in the 21st century."
? The Honourable Deron Bilous, Alberta Minister of Economic Development and Trade

"The Alberta Climate Leadership Plan encourages cutting-edge innovation and clean technology growth. In a globally competitive business environment, a low-carbon future is the new reality."
? The Honourable Shannon Phillips, Alberta Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office

"By providing a single window to access resources, Alberta and Canada are leveraging funds to stimulate investment and advance GHG-reducing technologies. By accelerating innovation, ERA is helping Alberta be successful both economically and environmentally in a lower carbon future."
? Steve MacDonald, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta

"This joint funding opportunity demonstrates how, by working together, our innovation ecosystem can provide all the supports needed to move ideas into market solutions."
? Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates

"SDTC, Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta have joined forces to provide one-window access to funding for Alberta clean tech companies as they scale up. It's a great example of federal and provincial agency cooperation to improve services to Canadian innovators. The projects announced today will deliver real environmental and economic benefits to Albertans and to Canadians."
? Leah Lawrence, President and CEO, Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Quick facts

• To help clean technology firms grow, the Innovation and Skills Plan includes investments of nearly $1.4 billion in new financing on a cash basis, starting in 2017?18. That funding will be allocated through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada as follows:
• $950 million in growth capital to support clean technology producers
• approximately $450 million in additional project finance for clean technology producers
• Budget 2017 also made available $400 million to recapitalize Sustainable Development Technology Canada's SD Tech Fund, which supports the development and demonstration of early-stage clean technology projects.

Associated links

• Budget 2017

Follow the department on Twitter: @ISED_CA

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada