More than $21 million
through PrairiesCan to build on Alberta's strengths in
commercializing innovative technologies that benefit people and
communities in the green Prairie economy
CALGARY,
AB, July 4, 2024 /CNW/ - As global markets
increasingly look for more sustainable ways of doing business,
innovators across Alberta have new opportunities to create and
commercialize technologies that offer benefits for both the economy
and the environment. Alberta is already a national and global
leader across key sectors that contribute to Canada's prosperity—from energy, environment
and aerospace to digital technology, life sciences and value-added
agriculture.
Through improved coordination across federal departments and in
partnership with all levels of government and industry, the
Government of Canada is committed
to enabling Alberta's small- and medium-sized businesses to
continue capitalizing on these and other opportunities that build
on Alberta's established strengths in creating products and
services that the world needs.
Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan,
announced federal funding of more than $21.9
million for 13 projects to bolster Alberta's clean
technology sector through the commercialization and adoption of new
applications that offer environmental benefits across a wide range
of industries. Examples of projects receiving support include:
- Alberta Innovates is receiving $10 million to launch a production and testing
facility to support the commercialization of new technologies that
help produce low-cost carbon fibre using bitumen.
- The Battery Metals Association of Canada is receiving $850,000 to support growth of the battery metals
sector in Western Canada by
enhancing collaboration and educating stakeholders.
- Carbon Management Canada is receiving $1,168,000 to enhance its emission management
technology validation facility where small- and medium-sized
businesses can test, refine, and commercialize carbon capture
products and technologies.
- Kuva Canada is receiving more than $4 million in repayable funding to grow market
share of its automated methane monitoring products and software
which safely detect methane leaks more accurately, faster and at a
lower cost than traditional methane inspection technologies.
- The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is receiving
$174,000 to conduct a comprehensive
review of the Métis Housing portfolio energy efficiency plan that
will provide prioritized recommendations to increase the energy
efficiency of homes and support their Climate Change Action
Plan.
Projects receiving funding will have significant environmental
and economic benefits across the Prairies, including supporting
more than 415 jobs and enabling Alberta firms to take advantage of
growing market demand for clean energy solutions. Today's federal
investment leverages about $7 million
in additional funding through other levels of government and
industry.
This announcement exemplifies key principles of
the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, which
was tabled in Parliament in December
2023 as a long-term commitment to seize new possibilities to
build good-paying jobs in a globally competitive green economy by
working collaboratively to build on the region's strengths in clean
resource development, agriculture and manufacturing, and the
service industry.
Quotes
"Our government is making strategic investments to build on
Alberta's proven ability to commercialize innovative clean energy
solutions that have environmental and economic benefits. Today's
investment in these 13 projects will help ensure that Alberta
businesses can capitalize on new opportunities to meet global
demand for clean technology know-how and expertise. These
investments, in conjunction with enhanced collaboration supported
by the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, will help build
a stronger and more sustainable economic future across the
Prairies."
–The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan
"Today's announcement is about making sure Alberta businesses
remain at the forefront of Canada's innovation. These projects will
create sustainable jobs and demonstrate Alberta's proven capacity
to create clean technology and energy – pushing us towards great
global market opportunities."
–The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment,
Workforce Development and Official Languages
"Alberta is home to world-leading businesses and entrepreneurs
who punch above their weight in innovation and ingenuity. Clean
technology and clean energy are fields in which our province is
gaining a global reputation for excellence. Today's investments
will further bolster that capability so that we can create a
sustainable economy and good jobs for Albertans for years to
come."
– George Chahal, Member of
Parliament for Calgary Skyview
"We congratulate Alberta Innovates on the success in the
Regional Innovation Ecosystems program competition. The award will
create markets and opportunities for Alberta that haven't
previously existed. We look forward to the results of the Carbon
Fibre Grand Challenge, which has the potential to create jobs in a
new industry, and to attract investment."
–The Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and
Innovation, Government of Alberta
"This investment of more than $21
million is a vote of confidence in our city's ability to
lead the charge towards net-zero. As the heart of Canada's energy sector and home to the biggest
concentration of Alberta's cleantech companies, our local
businesses are at the forefront of developing technologies that
will shape a greener future. This support will undoubtedly
accelerate their efforts to bring these solutions to global
markets."
– Jyoti Gondek, Mayor,
City of Calgary
"This initiative will support our commitment to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, improve housing sustainability and build
internal capacity within Métis Housing, accelerating climate action
for our Housing portfolio and ensuring that our staff are equipped
with the knowledge and skills needed to drive sustainable change
from within our community. Together, we are laying the groundwork
for a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to
come."
– Jason Chernow, Calgary
Elbow Métis District 6 Citizens' Representative and Secretary
of Environment and Climate Change, Otipemisiwak Métis Government of
the Métis Nation within Alberta
"This funding will accelerate the development and
commercialization of carbon fibre technologies in Alberta. Carbon fibre can be a key pathway to a
net-zero emissions future - dramatically reduce emissions and
enable a new Canadian competitive advantage in a low-carbon
economy. The facility will allow carbon fibre producers and
manufacturers to meet the needs of climate sensitive markets and
get a step closer new advanced materials industry."
– Michael Mahon, PhD, Interim, CEO, Alberta Innovates
"BMAC's mission is to foster the growth of Canada's emerging battery industry to develop
a strong and sustainable domestic value chain in support of the
clean energy transition. As a small non-profit organization with a
large mandate, the investment BMAC has received from PrairiesCan
has been instrumental in enabling us to connect with Canada's battery industry and provide key
resources and support to aid in its success."
– Sean De Vries, Executive
Director, Battery Metals Association of Canada
"We are thrilled to have been selected for investment by
PrairiesCan. This funding will enable us to accelerate growth by
investing into increasing our Calgary-based team and commercialising
additional features while helping our oil and gas customers see,
size and solve their methane emission challenges to meet emission
reduction goals."
– Stefan Bokaemper, President, Kuva Canada
Quick facts
- Federal funding for these 13 projects is being provided through
PrairiesCan. PrairiesCan programs and services help businesses,
not-for-profits and communities grow stronger: its mandate is to
support economic growth and diversification in the Prairie
provinces and advance the interests of the region in national
economic policy, programs, and projects.
- The Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy is a long-term
commitment to work differently; through stronger coordination among
federal departments on investments for the Prairies, and closer
collaboration with Prairie partners on their priorities for a
prosperous and sustainable Prairie economy that respects provincial
jurisdictions and supports Indigenous economic reconciliation.
- In Alberta specifically, the Framework is intended to encourage
greater collaboration on regional investment opportunities, such as
supporting decarbonization by advancing the hydrogen ecosystem and
critical minerals opportunities; growing a sustainable agriculture
sector by catalyzing more value-added activity and reducing
environmental impact; and strengthening our support for community
economic development capacity and initiatives, especially in
Indigenous and rural communities.
Backgrounder
PrairiesCan is investing over $21
million for 13 projects in Alberta through several federal programs,
including the Alberta Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative; the
Business Scale-up and Productivity program; and the Regional
Innovation Ecosystems program. These investments are expected to
support over 415 jobs and help Alberta organizations seize
opportunities resulting from the integration and development of
clean technologies. Adopting and commercializing new technologies
offers the potential of environmental and economic benefits across
a wide range of industries.
Alberta Indigenous Clean Energy
Initiative (AICEI) - $926,450
The AICEI supports renewable energy generation or energy
efficiency projects that are led by, or for the benefit of, First
Nation and Métis communities in Alberta. AICEI is funded through the Strategic
Partnerships Initiative which is led by Indigenous Services Canada
to provide a way for federal partners to coordinate their efforts,
reduce administrative burden and pool resources in support of
Indigenous communities. Today, PrairiesCan announced AICEI
support for four projects:
- Cold Lake First Nations ($124,000)
Complete a feasibility study to
determine the suitability of a geothermal system to heat and cool a
new pre-construction events centre as well as the existing
Casino Dene and Hotel Dene.
- Métis Nation of Alberta ($174,000)
As part of the Métis Nation of
Alberta (MNA) Climate Change Action Plan, conduct a comprehensive
review of the MNA housing portfolio and develop a report which
gives prioritized recommendations to increase the energy efficiency
of homes.
Neyaskweyak Group of Companies Inc. (Ermineskin Cree
Nation) ($373,450)
Complete a
feasibility study to support the approval and construction of a new
solar farm in Ermineskin Cree Nation.
- Southern Alberta Institute of
Technology (SAIT) ($255,000)
As part of a partnership
between SAIT's Green Building Technologies research division and
the Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association (ANFCA), upgrade
ANFCA Friendship Centres in Fort
McMurray, Medicine Hat, and
St. Paul with energy efficient
building systems to reduce emissions and operating costs.
Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program -
$5,986,395
The BSP program supports high-growth businesses that are seeking
to improve productivity, scale-up and commercialize technology. It
offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated businesses
that have been in operation for a minimum of two years. Today,
PrairiesCan announced BSP support for two projects:
- Kuva Canada ($4,079,895)
Expand marketing, operations,
and product development initiatives to grow market share of its
automated methane monitoring products and software which safely
detect methane leaks more accurately, faster and at a lower cost
than traditional methane inspection technologies.
- RJ Maclean Tank Services ($1,906,500)
Incorporate product
improvements and launch marketing initiatives to increase
international sales of its robotic tank cleaning system which uses
less water and produces less waste than traditional industrial
storage tank cleaning processes.
Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) Program - $15,070,112
The RIE program helps create, grow, and nurture
inclusive regional ecosystems that support business needs to
facilitate innovation. Through the RIE program, targeted
investments in not-for-profit organizations support businesses in
priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally.
The RIE program also promotes inclusive growth by helping
underrepresented groups more fully participate in the innovation
economy. Today, PrairiesCan announced RIE support for seven
projects:
- Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance ($500,000)
Lead stakeholder engagement
sessions and technology demonstrations to increase the adoption of
energy reducing technologies and support collaboration in Alberta's
energy industry.
- Alberta Innovates ($10,000,000)
Establish a specialized
production and testing facility to commercialize technologies that
convert bitumen into carbon fibre at a significantly lower cost
than traditional carbon fibre manufacturing processes.
Alberta Motor Transport Association and the University of Alberta ($1,400,000)
Expand hydrogen heavy vehicle
trials and demonstrations across Alberta, including in rural areas
and Indigenous communities. This latest funding builds on
PrairiesCan's previously announced funding of $3 million, bringing total PrairiesCan funding to
$4.4M.
- Battery Metals Association of Canada ($850,000)
Support growth of the battery
metals sector in Western Canada by
enhancing collaboration and educating stakeholders.
- Carbon Management Canada ($1,168,000)
Purchase and install new
equipment to enhance its emission management technology validation
facility where small- and medium-sized businesses can test, refine,
and commercialize carbon capture products and technologies. This
latest funding builds on PrairiesCan's previously announced funding
of $1,573,500, bringing total
PrairiesCan funding to $2,741,500.
- Pembina Institute ($752,112)
Establish a new Centre for
Carbon Dioxide Removal based in Calgary which will provide resources and
workshops to advance a market for innovative technologies that
remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere.
- Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada ($400,000)
Provide technical, business
and marketing support to help businesses in Alberta export their clean technology
innovations to international markets.
Associated links
- Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
- The Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy
- Green Prairie Economy
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SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada