The Minister of Natural Resources Canada, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced at COP15 the launch of Natural Resources Canada’s first Youth Council, reaffirming the Government of Canada’s commitment to protecting nature and biodiversity and recognizing the importance of engaging and hearing from youth on climate and natural resource issues.
Today, in Vancouver, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, released Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy, backed by up to $3.8 billion in federal funding allocated in Budget 2022. The proposed funding covers a range of industrial activities, from geoscience and exploration to mineral processing, manufacturing and recycling applications, including support for research, development and technological deployment.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced the launch of the third call for proposals of the 2 Billion Trees program. This will result in additional long-term agreements with eligible partners, including Indigenous communities and partners, municipalities and for- and non-profit organizations as we continue to advance our commitment to support partners in planting two billion trees by 2031.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of nearly $3 million from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program for Fraser Basin Council’s Energy Peers in Indigenous Communities (EPIC) Network, a capacity-building program designed to encourage Indigenous leadership in the renewable energy and electrification sectors across British Columbia.
Minister Wilkinson announced the Government of Canada’s implementation of this commitment with the release of the policy guidelines that lay the foundation for federal departments and agencies to put in place the measures set out in the Statement.
The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of $563,323 to Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) to recruit up to 15 Indigenous participants to become licensed and registered EnerGuide energy advisors.
The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced over $1,462,500 to the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) for the training of energy advisors from under-represented groups like the Red River Métis within the province of Manitoba. The funding will support training, mentorship and upskilling activities that aim to increase the number of energy advisors. This will enable timely EnerGuide evaluations for all Manitobans in remote, rural and northern regions.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, launched an open call for proposals through the renewed Multi-Partner Research Initiative (MPRI) to support oil spill response science and research projects across Canada and abroad. Over the next five years, the initiative will provide $20.3 million in contribution funding to selected proposals.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a $160,000 federal investment in the City of Stratford to install 23 EV chargers in public places across Stratford. The chargers will all be available by January 2025. The project also received $317,428 from the City of Stratford. The total project cost is $483,428.