Alberta and Canada to invest $40 million to create green jobs, help business advance clean technology, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Ottawa – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Today Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, and the Honourable Shannon Phillips, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Parks, announced $40 million to help small and medium-sized businesses create green jobs, advance clean technology and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The funding will be provided through a competitive application process led by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA, formerly CCEMC).

ERA and SDTC are seeking projects that advance pre-commercial technology for GHG reduction. They include prototype development, field pilots and commercial scale demonstration projects. Eligible applicants must be incorporated, operate in Canada, and have fewer than 500 employees and less than $50 million in annual gross revenue.

The process offers applicants a streamlined, harmonized model with one-window access. A maximum of $10 million per project will be provided. The matching funds available (up to 66.7 percent of eligible costs) are more than applicants could access through either the SDTC or ERA processes individually. The technology must be applicable and well suited for deployment in Alberta.

Quotes
“Canada knows that clean and sustainable technology is critical for a prosperous future. The projects supported through this investment will help create the jobs of the future by advancing innovative solutions that will make our resource sectors world leaders in clean and sustainable technology and processes.”
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“Encouraging the development of clean technology will create opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution, diversify our economy and create good jobs in Alberta. Under our Climate Leadership Plan, initiatives like this will help make Alberta one of the most environmentally responsible energy producers in the world.”
The Honourable Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks

“The relationship between CCEMC and SDTC will accelerate the pace of adoption of innovation in Alberta and beyond. This funding opportunity will advance entrepreneurship and the development of innovative technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Steve MacDonald, CEO, ERA (formerly CCEMC)

“SDTC and CCEMC have decided to work together on this federal-provincial initiative because it just makes sense. Many Canadian cleantech companies have applied to us separately over the years. This means that the amount of time spent and paperwork generated is double what it needs to be. We hope that by streamlining the process, our entrepreneurs and innovators will have more time to focus on what really matters: developing their ideas and technologies.”
Leah Lawrence, CEO, Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Quick facts

• SDTC acts as a primary catalyst in building a sustainable development technology industry in Canada, funding and supporting Canadian cleantech projects across a number of sectors. SDTC invests in Canadian companies that, through their innovative technologies, contribute positively to Canada by creating quality jobs, driving economic growth and preserving our environment. SDTC is a foundation funded by the Government of Canada.
• ERA was created by the Province to support Alberta in the successful transition to a future with lower GHG emissions. By funding the next generation of innovative and clean technology, ERA is helping Alberta build an open, sustainable economy that attracts investment, facilitates diversification, expands market access and delivers improved environmental outcomes.