Supporting Quebec’s clean technology industry benefits Canadians

MP Marc Miller announces $2.2 million for Montréal company to develop technology for wireless communications devices

Canadians could be using their mobile devices for much longer without draining the battery thanks to a Government of Canada investment in a new clean technology aimed at dramatically reducing the energy needed to power wireless devices.

The $2.2-million investment was announced today by Marc Miller, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie–Le Sud-Ouest–Îles-des-Sœurs, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

This investment will support SPARK Microsystems in designing, building and testing an ultra-low power microchip. The energy-efficient chip has the potential to reduce the power consumption of devices connected to the Internet as well as the amount of waste created during battery production. That will benefit Canadian consumers and create well-paying middle-class jobs in Canada.

This project is being funded through Sustainable Development Technology Canada, which works with Canadian companies to bring early-stage clean technologies to market.

Investments in clean technology are part of the 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

Investments like the one we are celebrating today are key to Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy. It is clean tech innovation that will help propel Canada’s economy forward while at the same time creating new jobs and protecting our environment.”

– Marc Miller, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie–Le Sud-Ouest–Îles-des-Sœurs

“Our government’s investments in clean technology reflect our commitment to protecting the planet. But they also point to a clear and strategic direction for economic development through innovation. That’s because innovations in clean tech will lead to products and services that have an impact on all sectors of the economy. And clean tech has the potential to create thousands of well-paying jobs for Canadians. That’s how innovation leads to a better Canada.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“Anyone who has watched the battery life drain from their cellphone just when they need it most will want to keep their eyes on SPARK Microsystems’ innovation. This ultra-low-power transceiver chip will reduce power consumption, battery waste and inputs to the manufacturing process while improving battery life across a wide range of devices. SDTC is proud to support this game-changing clean technology.”

– Leah Lawrence, President and CEO, Sustainable Development Technology Canada

“Currently, the battery life of a wide range of wireless devices is not sufficient for many applications, leading to high energy consumption, frequent recharge cycles, and batteries that require costly maintenance and generate significant waste. SPARK Microsystems has developed a unique wireless technology that is more energy efficient than incumbent technologies. It significantly lowers the energy used by the wireless communications function of a device in order to dramatically lower its reliance on batteries.”

– Frederic Nabki, CEO, SPARK Microsystems

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. This new financing, through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada, is being allocated 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.