The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a $10 million contribution to BioLesna Carbon Technologies LP, a joint venture between BC Biocarbon and Dunkley Lumber Ltd., for a new biorefinery in Carrot River, Saskatchewan. The contribution comes through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program, which aims to support Canada’s forest sector resilience through targeted investments in advanced technologies and products.
When speaking at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced investments totalling over $7 million for four projects. The funding is provided through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs) program and will enhance the understanding of energy use, support renewable energy development and deployment in partnership with Indigenous communities and work toward economic reconciliation through job creation.
Member of Parliament Anita Vandenbeld, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $1.5-million contribution to Roseburg Forest Products Canada for the installation of robotic equipment to enhance their medium-density fibreboard (MDF) plant. The contribution comes through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program, which facilitates the adoption of innovative technologies and products and aims to create a more competitive forest sector with a focus on low-carbon projects that result in new or diversified revenue streams. Roseburg Forest Products Canada also received a contribution of $1.5 million through Ontario’s Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced funding for Tel Aviv University (TAU) to develop software aimed at improving Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems that include arrays of sensor stations. This announcement is part of a suite of initiatives being brought forward by the Government of Canada to strengthen the safety, security and resilience of Canada’s emergency readiness infrastructure. Tel Aviv University was chosen for this project as it is the recognized world leader in the field of small-aperture seismic arrays that can improve EEW performance for cross-border and offshore events and is a responsible choice for the safety of Canadians, given Tel Aviv’s global leadership in this field.
The Canada–British Columbia Regional Energy and Resource Tables (B.C. Regional Table) is the primary forum for this collaboration. The Regional Energy and Resource Tables are partnerships between the federal government and individual provinces and territories, in collaboration with Indigenous leaders, to align efforts and seize key economic opportunities enabled by the global shift to net zero. These Tables seek robust input from partners including industry and labour.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, and David L. Cohen, United States Ambassador to Canada, signed an arrangement that strengthens the two countries’ long-standing cooperation to combat wildland fires and protect communities in the face of this climate change–driven threat.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities President, Scott Pearce, announced a $395,700 investment to the City of Nelson, B.C. to help pilot a project to evaluate food waste recyclers as an alternative method of organic waste diversion using in-home pre-treatment appliances.
For seven years, the Government of Canada has been working on strategies, investing and improving regulations to help Canada become the clean energy and technology supplier of choice in a net-zero world. This plan features partnership with provinces and territories, including via the Regional Energy and Resource Tables. It also includes the February 2023 release of the Interim Sustainable Jobs Plan, which spoke to the work to be done to seize the economic opportunities that will be enabled through a move to a low-carbon future.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, met with Jozef Síkela, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, to discuss the importance of international collaboration on global energy security and the transition to net zero. Their discussion focused on how Europe, the Czech Republic and Canada can strengthen their cooperation to ensure a more resilient and sustainable energy policy, increase critical mineral supply chains and advance the fight against climate change through clean technology and energy. The Ministers also signalled their desire to work together on topics of common interest, including hydrogen and critical minerals.
At the Retrofit Canada Conference in Montreal, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a second call for proposals under the Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program, focused on demonstration projects. This call will support up to six aggregated deep energy retrofit projects in communities across the country. Targeting clusters of low-rise community housing buildings of 100 or more units per demonstration site, the proposals will explore innovative, cost-effective pathways and construction approaches for more affordable and efficient building renovations.
