Government of Canada announces funding for energy efficiency and climate action in New Brunswick

FREDERICTON, Dec. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada is committed to working with provinces and territories to grow the economy while meeting our climate commitments and creating good jobs in communities across the country.

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petipas-Taylor, Minister of Health, and Serge Rouselle, Minister of Environment and Local Government from the Government of New Brunswick, announced the province will receive nearly $51 million through the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund for programs that help New Brunswickers save money and energy, while supporting the province's climate objectives. The funding is a component of the Low Carbon Economy Fund, designed to spur clean growth and cut carbon pollution while promoting innovative climate solutions. Up to $234 million will be invested in energy efficiency by the Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick, and NB Power over the next five years.

The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund will create jobs, support healthier communities, and help Canadians save money. By building on provincial and territorial leadership, the Low Carbon Economy Fund will help meet Canada's commitment under the Paris Agreement and achieve our 2030 national climate target. New Brunswick is eligible for the funding as a signatory to the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

Today's announcement at Grimross Craft Beer Brewery in Fredericton demonstrates the types of projects that the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will support. The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will be used to help save costs for New Brunswickers through energy efficiency programming for households, businesses, and industry.

In addition to New Brunswick, the Government of Canada is also making announcements today regarding the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund with the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec and Nova Scotia. Additional announcements with other provinces will follow as project proposals are finalized.

Quotes

"Investing in climate solutions and clean growth is a critical part of our made-in-Canada climate plan. The projects we are supporting through this funding will build on New Brunswick's climate leadership to make a real difference in the lives of New Brunswickers. This funding will create good jobs, spark clean economic development and help New Brunswickers save money on energy and fight climate change in their own communities." 
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Investing in energy efficiency is a common-sense solution to climate change and a way to support our local economy. Through this funding, we are proud to help more New Brunswickers save energy and money at home, while creating hundreds of local jobs and new economic opportunities."
– The Honourable Ginette Petipas-Taylor, Minister of Health

"We owe it to future generations, our children and grandchildren, to prevent the worst impacts of climate change from occurring. Our climate change plan calls for investments in energy efficiency, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs and save money."
– Serge Rousselle, New Brunswick Minister of Environment and Local Government

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund supports implementation of the Pan-Canadian climate plan by investing in projects that will generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution. These investments support Canada's Paris Agreement commitment and aligns with the 2030 national climate target.
• The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will benefit New Brunswickers by funding programs to:
• Offer money back to homeowners on energy efficiency products;
• Help small businesses and all commercial building owners to reduce their emissions; and
• Support industries in making changes that save them heating costs.
• In total, New Brunswick estimates projects supported by the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will create more than 400 jobs. 

Associated Links

• Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund
• The Low Carbon Economy Fund
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada