No. H260/05
For release November 24, 2005
MONTREAL - Three new projects in Quebec under Transport Canada's Freight
Sustainability Demonstration Program were announced today by Transport Minister
Jean-C. Lapierre.
The Government of Canada is investing $449,045 in these projects. The
organizations selected to receive funding are Acquis Route inc., Frygy Cube
International inc. and Innovation Maritime.
"This funding will help members of Quebec's transportation industry to undertake
new projects to help the environment," said Mr. Lapierre. "Projects such as the
ones announced today demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to
supporting environmental sustainability, innovation and development."
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration and
evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the
potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions from the freight
transportation sector in Canada. The Government of Canada will contribute up to
50 per cent of eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $250,000, with
applicants and their partners contributing the remainder. Approximately $4.7
million will be allocated under the program between 2001 and 2007.
"I'm pleased to see that members of the freight transportation industry are
coming up with innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Mr.
Lapierre. "The Government of Canada is dedicated to funding industry projects
that will ultimately benefit all Canadians by helping the environment."
To date, the government has announced approximately $4.4 million in funding for
31 projects across Canada under the Freight Sustainability Demonstration
Program. This program is part of the Freight Efficiency and Technology
Initiative that was established under the Government of Canada Action Plan 2000
on Climate Change.
More information on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is
available at
www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP.
Backgrounders with information on projects and the
program are attached.
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Contacts:
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Chris Krepski
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
BACKGROUNDERPROJECTS FUNDED UNDER THE
SEVENTH ROUND OF THE FREIGHT
SUSTAINABILITY
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
The following projects in Quebec have been selected for the seventh round of
funding under the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program:
Evaluation of fuel-saving technologies on three trucks
Project location: Louis-Hébert, Quebec
Acquis Route inc. will receive $93,045 to demonstrate trucks that are equipped
with fuel saving technologies. Some of these technologies will prove to be
cost-effective, but have not been widely adopted. The company will equip these
vehicles with advanced technology tires, semi-automatic transmissions,
navigation systems, cab heaters, and on-board computers that provide real-time
feedback to drivers on fuel efficiency. Three companies have agreed to work with
Acquis Route inc. to test the vehicles. The project will be completed over 18
months.
Marine best practices
Project location: Rimouski, Neigette, Témiscouata and Les Basques, Quebec
Innovation Maritime will receive $218,000 to evaluate and quantify the impact on
fuel consumption and emissions of operational measures, including the complete
overhaul of propulsion engines, adjustment in transit operation and presence of
performance indicators on ships. Results will be determined through the
collection and interpretation of data obtained. Some of the collected data will
be shared with operations to further improve fuel efficiency and reveal the
impact on ships' operations.
Efficiency comparison between Frygy Cube, Thermo-King and Carrier Transicold
refrigeration systems
Project location: Sherbrooke, Quebec
Frygy Cube International inc. will receive $138,000 to demonstrate the
efficiency and environmental-friendliness of the Frygy Cube refrigerating system
compared to other systems when transporting frozen merchandise. The system is
different from others because it draws power from the electricity grid rather
than using a diesel engine to power the refrigeration equipment. The Frygy Cube
refrigerating system keeps merchandise cold or frozen for 10 hours per day and
in an operational context allows the doors to be opened 25 to 30 times per day
at an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius.
November 2005
BACKGROUNDER
FREIGHT SUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration
and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the
potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada's freight
transportation sector.
The program, announced as part of the Government of Canada's Action Plan 2000 on
Climate Change, will allocate approximately $4.7 million between 2001 and 2007
for projects that meet the program's criteria. Projects are eligible for a
maximum program contribution of $250,000 over two years. Government of Canada
contributions will cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses, with
applicants and their partners contributing the remainder. Some 31 projects have
already been approved for funding.
Transport Canada, together with Natural Resources Canada, selects projects to
receive funding under the program, taking into account the recommendations of an
advisory committee including representatives of other federal departments,
academic institutions and other not-for-profit organizations. Applications are
accepted twice a year, in the spring and the fall. For specific dates, please
see the Applicant's Guide on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program
website listed below.
All participants in the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program are
required to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and report findings from their
projects to the program secretariat at Transport Canada.
Transport Canada will make information on successful technologies and best
practices available at conferences and other venues and on the Freight
Sustainability Demonstration Program website at
www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP.
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is part of the Freight
Efficiency and Technology Initiative which includes a range of different
initiatives designed to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in the
freight transportation sector.
November 2005
