Government of Canada Supports Renewable Energy Alternatives in Indigenous and Northern Communities
News release
May 10, 2019 — Ottawa, ON — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
The Government of Canada is working with partners to reduce Northern communities' reliance on diesel for heating and electricity by increasing the use of local renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. This will result in environmental, social and economic benefits that will support healthier, more sustainable Northern communities across the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.
Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced that since its inception in 2017-2018, the Government of Canada has supported 85 projects with an investment of $13.9 million through its Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity Program (Northern REACHE) to assist communities that are working to reduce their reliance on diesel fuel.
These investments are part of Canada's nearly $700 million commitment to help rural and remote communities get off diesel, including through programs delivered by Natural Resources Canada and Infrastructure Canada.
Through Canada's climate action plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, the Government is working with provinces, territories and Indigenous Peoples to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience to a changing climate, and support the transition to a clean growth economy.
Quotes
"Indigenous communities are on the front line of climate change. They are committed to be part of solutions. It is impressive to see so many communities making meaningful progress transitioning to clean energy. These investments, together with other federal programs, are helping communities reduce their reliance on imported diesel, resulting in less pollution, lower energy costs and a cleaner energy future for all."
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Quick facts
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Budget 2016 and 2017 invested $64.2 million over 12 years for the Northern REACHE program.
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Budget 2016 and 2017 committed a total of $220.6 million to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to create five new climate change programs as a part of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
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To date, these investments have supported hundreds of projects in northern and Indigenous communities for a range of climate change activities, including monitoring the effects of climate change on marine life and adapting to climate change-induced coastal erosion.
Associated links
- Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity Program (Northern REACHE)
- Northern REACHE, selected projects 2018 to 2019
- Northern REACHE, selected projects 2017 to 2018
- Northern REACHE, selected projects 2016 to 2017
- Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
- Environment and Climate Change Canada - Climate Action Map
- Natural Resources Canada – Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative and Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program
- Infrastructure Canada – Investing in Canada Plan
Contacts
For more information, media may contact:
Matthew Dillon-Leitch
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca
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