The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a new investment of $1 million from the Energy Innovation Program’s Clean Fuels and Industrial Fuel Switching initiative to Ekona Power Inc. This funding will support Ekona in advancing its methane pyrolysis solution for clean hydrogen production from natural gas. Building on the success of a prior program to develop and test Ekona’s xCaliber™ reactor, which was previously supported by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through its Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada Program, this project will support further development of the reactor and expand Ekona’s Burnaby test facility.
It is in this context that federal, provincial and territorial ministers are meeting in Calgary, Alberta, from July 3 to July 5, 2024, at the annual Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference, to share perspectives and continue driving momentum in the energy and mining sectors.
From coast to coast to coast, Canadians are saving thousands of dollars a year on gas by rapidly making the switch to electric vehicles, with over 320,000 new electric vehicles registered in 2023 alone. The Government of Canada is taking action to make it more affordable for Canadians to purchase, charge and drive electric vehicles (EVs) across the country while driving toward a net-zero future, including by making it easier to access public EV charging through historic direct investments, research and partnerships with the private sector and other levels of government.
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a $9.7 million investment for grid modernization in the Town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. This major investment will unlock more efficient uses of electricity within the community and allow for increased renewable energy sources such as wind and solar while driving down emissions and supporting sustainable jobs and communities.
That is why today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced $353,710 through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program to evaluate the potential of hydrokinetic turbines for generating electricity in Deh Cho communities.
Today, Robert J. Morrissey, Member of Parliament, Egmont, Prince Edward Island, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Barb Ramsay, Minister of Social Development and Seniors on behalf of The Honourable Steven Myers, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action announced a joint investment of over $3 million over four years through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program — Equipment Fund (FMWCC). The funding will help the province procure and increase wildland fire equipment and personnel, support resource exchanges and unlock community-based capacity.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, along with Ebba Busch, Sweden’s Minister for Energy, Business and Industry and Deputy Prime Minister, announced that Sweden has joined the Sustainable Critical Minerals Alliance (SCMA), comprising of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Under Canada’s leadership, the SCMA was created in December 2022 to drive the global uptake of responsible critical minerals supply chains and environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive and responsible mining, processing and recycling practices. The Alliance aligns with the G7 2030 Nature Compact commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 through a globally wide system change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced four projects in the Kitchener-Waterloo region that will support community sustainability through investments in more efficient and affordable energy systems and greener transportation options.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue, announced the passing into law of the first four Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits: the Clean Technology ITC, the Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) ITC, the Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC, and the Clean Hydrogen ITC.
Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, received Royal Assent. This legislation will foster the creation of sustainable jobs, support industries and communities in every region across Canada, and help the workforce gain the necessary skills, training and tools to fill these new job opportunities. This is a historic step toward ensuring that Canadian workers are at the centre of Canada's Sustainable Jobs Actions Plans, as global investment flows toward low-carbon economic opportunities in Canadian industries.
