Government of Canada announces funding for energy efficiency and climate action in British Columbia

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada is committed to working with provinces and territories to grow the economy while meeting our climate commitments and creating good jobs in communities across the country.

Today, Parliamentary Secretary Jonathan Wilkinson and George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy from the Government of British Columbia, announced the province will receive at least $160 million through the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund for programs that help British Columbians save money and energy, while supporting the province's climate objectives. The funding is a component of the Low Carbon Economy Fund, designed to spur clean growth and cut carbon pollution while promoting innovative climate solutions.

The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund will create jobs, support healthier communities, and help Canadians save money. By building on provincial and territorial leadership, the Low Carbon Economy Fund will help meet Canada's commitment under the Paris Agreement and achieve our 2030 national climate target. British Columbia is eligible for the funding as a signatory to the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

In British Columbia, a total of over $320 million will be used to support the province's climate objectives, including energy efficiency, reforestation, and organics diversion and processing, with the British Columbia government adding at least $160 million to the Government of Canada's contribution.

In addition to British Columbia, the Government of Canada is also making announcements today regarding the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund with the Provinces of Alberta, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Additional announcements with other provinces will follow as project proposals are finalized.

Quotes

"Investing in climate solutions and clean growth is a critical part of our made-in-Canada climate plan. The projects we are supporting through this funding will build on British Columbia's climate leadership to make a real difference in the lives of British Columbians. This funding will create good jobs, spark clean economic development and help British Columbians save money on energy and fight climate change in their own communities." 

- Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Our government is committed to addressing climate change in a meaningful way. Today I'm pleased that we are continuing to move forward by announcing awards under the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. Through this initiative our government will contribute $140 million in B.C. towards forest management activities that reduce emissions and sequester carbon. We will also contribute an additional $12 million toward the Building Energy Retrofit Partnership? which will help communities across B.C. reduce their emissions, create jobs and drive our economy forward."

- Jonathan Wilkinson, member of Parliament for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Our government is taking real action to reduce carbon pollution, and we welcome the federal government's support. These initial investments in lowering emissions focus on people and communities, and will help to generate good, sustainable jobs."

- George Heyman, B.C. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund supports implementation of the pan-Canadian climate plan by investing in projects that will generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution. These investments support Canada's Paris Agreement commitment and align with the 2030 national climate target.
• The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will benefit British Columbians by funding projects to:
• Reduce energy costs and improve affordability for households, businesses, and institutions; and
• Enhance the amount of carbon stored in British Columbia's forests and build resiliency over time. 
• More information about these programs and any others that will be funded as part of the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will be provided as program details are confirmed.

Associated Links

• Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund
• The Low Carbon Economy Fund
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada