Budget 2017 Reveals Canadian Government’s Commitment in Sustainable Urban Mobility

Budget 2017 Reveals Canadian Government Commitment in Sustainable Urban Mobility electric vehicle charging Natural gas and hydrogen

Budget 2017 proposes to invest $21.9 billion over 11 years to support green infrastructure that will advance Canada’s efforts to build a clean economy. Budget 2017 proposes an additional $120-million for a national recharging and refuelling network for electric, natural gas and hydrogen vehicles, and technology demonstration projects.

The Government of Canada continues to support green infrastructure in the transportation sector that will advance Canada’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, support Canadian technology and create good jobs for middle-class Canadians.

Budget 2017’s proposal to invest $21.9 billion over 11 years in green infrastructure includes funding for a national electric and alternative fuel network, advancing the Government’s objective to reduce GHG emissions under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. These proposed green infrastructure investments in alternative fuelling networks, technology demonstration projects, energy efficiency standards, renewable energy demonstration projects, and smart grids, will create jobs while reducing GHG emissions. Green infrastructure funding is also proposed to reduce the use of diesel in remote communities and help communities deal with the effects of climate change.

Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jim Carr, highlighted the Government’s investment today, and also announced $3.25 million in funding for electric and alternative fuel vehicle information technology, which supports the Government’s strategy to make our transportation system cleaner and more efficient. Funded under Budget 2016, this technology – developed by FleetCarma, a Waterloo-based clean tech information and communications technology company – will collect data when installed on an electric vehicle and manage workplace charging loads.

Building on Budget 2016’s investment of $62.5 million over two years to support electric and alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure, Budget 2017 proposes an additional $120-million for a national recharging and refuelling network for electric, natural gas and hydrogen vehicles, and technology demonstration projects.

“Currently almost a quarter of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector. This investment supports the use of Canadian technology in low carbon transportation, and moves us closer to having a national network of electric vehicle charging stations available to all Canadians.” Jim Carr – Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources

“Electric vehicle sales are on the rise, and FleetCarma is receiving a growing number of requests from utilities to capture real-world charging data from their service area. Real-world charging data is necessary for utilities to make informed decisions about their infrastructure and ensure they are ready to provide EV owners a good refueling experience. We are grateful for the Government’s support of this project, which will provide utilities with that necessary data and will demonstrate innovative ways to charge vehicles at multi-unit residences and workplaces.” Matt Stevens – Chief Executive Officer, FleetCarma

Creating Canada’s Clean Growth Economy

To advance Canada’s efforts to build a clean economy, Budget 2017 lays out the Government’s plan to invest $21.9 billion in green infrastructure, including initiatives that will support the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

Investments to support Canada’s transition to a clean economy will flow through three distinct streams:

  • Bilateral agreements: $9.2 billion will be provided to provinces and territories over the next 11 years, on a base plus per capita allocation basis, to support priority projects, including those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deliver clean water, safely manage wastewater, help communities prepare for challenges that result from climate change, and help build cleaner, better-connected electricity systems.
  • The Canada Infrastructure Bank: At least $5 billion will be available over the next 11 years for green infrastructure projects, including those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deliver clean air and safe water systems, and promote renewable power.
  • An additional $2.8 billion will be invested over the next 11 years through a series of national programs.

In particular, the Government proposes to invest the following national programs over the next 11 years:

  • $100 million to support next generation smart grid, storage and clean electricity technology demonstration projects.
  • $200 million to support the deployment of emerging renewable energy technologies nearing commercialization.
  • $220 million to reduce the reliance of rural and remote communities south of the 60th parallel on diesel fuel, and support the use of more sustainable, renewable power solutions.
  • $120 million to deploy infrastructure for electric vehicle charging and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, as well as to support technology demonstration projects.
  • $182 million to develop and implement new building codes to retrofit existing buildings and build new net-zero energy consumption buildingsacross Canada.
  • $2 billion for a Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to support national, provincial and municipal infrastructure required to deal with the effects of a changing climate.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

 

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