WINNIPEG, MB, June 27,
2024 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Manitoba are working together to help
businesses, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations reduce
pollution and access clean technology. This will help save money
and energy and create jobs, while building strong, resilient
communities.
Today, Terry Duguid,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor
for Water, on behalf of the Honourable Steven
Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change,
was joined by the Honourable Tracy Schmidt, Minister of
Environment and Climate Change for Manitoba to announce up to
$10.9 million to support a first
round of 32 projects that have been approved for funding under
Manitoba's Merit-Based Program.
The investment was made possible thanks to a $9.4 million federal investment from the Low
Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) and $1.5
million from the provincial government.
The Manitoba Merit-Based Program is designed to fund
projects that will:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including switching from
the combustion of fossil fuels to renewable energy
- Promote growth in the low-carbon economy and green job
creation
- Support industry competitiveness
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce energy
costs
The 32 projects announced today include:
- Twenty-four projects from the agricultural sector, the
majority of which still rely on propane or natural gas for
irrigation, grain drying, and transfer and handling systems.
According to the government of Manitoba, this investment will help these
projects upgrade or make the switch to renewable energy. This will
contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reductions of over 7,310
tonnes by 2030, which is equivalent to removing over 2,200 vehicles
from Manitoba's roads.
- Eight other projects are divided between
not-for-profit organizations, social housing, and municipal
development projects focused on fuel switching and reducing energy
costs.
The Governments of Canada
and the Province of Manitoba have
already collaborated on different initiatives designed to help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the switch to
renewable energy. The scope of projects announced today shows both
Canada's and Manitoba's engagement in achieving climate
goals and building a strong, green, and more prosperous economy for
Manitobans.
Quotes
"Since the Government of Canada launched the Low Carbon Economy Fund,
we have seen an incredible response from communities across
Canada who want to cut their
pollution and be more energy efficient. The 32 projects announced
today are important investments that will continue to get us closer
to reaching our national emissions reduction goals and building
more resilient communities."
– Terry Duguid,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor
for Water
"We know climate change poses a significant threat to our
province and requires real action from all levels of government and
that is why we are working in partnership with the Government of
Canada to support these important
projects across Manitoba. We are
committed to taking meaningful climate action to protect
Manitoba's lands and waters and
work towards net-zero targets."
– The Honourable Tracy Schmidt, Minister of
Environment and Climate for Manitoba
"We at Rutherford Farms have made many changes on our farm
over the years to make it more sustainable. The funding we received
from the Low Carbon Economy Fund program is helping us move to our
latest goal to become a net-zero emissions farm."
– Rick Rutherford,
President and Owner, Rutherford
Farms
Quick facts
- The Low Carbon Economy Fund is an important part of
Canada's climate action plans,
helping put Canada on a path to
achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- This funding is part of an agreement between the
governments of Canada and
Manitoba under
the Low Carbon Economy Leadership
Fund.
- The Manitoba-administered Merit-Based Program,
which was announced in
2023, is an
application-based grant incentive program that is funded under
Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund
($25 million) and the government of
Manitoba ($6.25 million).
- As Canada moves toward a
net-zero economy, people across the Prairies are taking action and
leading to take advantage of growing economic development
opportunities that are shaping a sustainable and inclusive future
for everyone.
- These investments are in line with the Government of
Canada's commitments through the
Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to deliver good jobs
through greater collaboration across levels of government and
by working more closely with Prairie stakeholders on
their priorities for a cleaner and sustainable economy that leaves
no one behind.
Related products
- Manitoba's
Merit-Based Program: 32 projects approved under first
round
Associated links
- Low Carbon Economy Fund
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan—Canada's Next Steps
for Clean Air and a Strong Economy
- Budget 2022—A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make
Life More Affordable
- The Framework to Build a Green Prairie
Economy
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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada