Canada launches £1.9m energy efficiency fund for SMEs

The Energy Manager Program is set to make the funds available to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), municipalities, universities, schools, hospitals and not-for-profit organizations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick; provinces where the federal carbon pricing backstop applies.

The scheme will help identify and adopt energy efficiency solutions that reduce energy use, operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions by offering funding to hire energy managers and undergo energy assessments for buildings, industrial facilities and fleets. The program will be funded from the proceeds of the federal carbon pollution pricing system.

Canada’s government states that it is committed to tackling climate change by putting a price on pollution and transitioning toward a clean, low-carbon economy, with this program being the latest in a host of other energy efficiency, clean energy and innovation programs.

Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, claims that by investing in the environment, the country is investing in national citizens, the economy and the prolonged health of the planet.

“Our government is proud to support initiatives like the Energy Manager Program, which will reduce energy use, operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions, advancing our clean future and helping us realize our global climate change goals,” he said.

The announcement builds on the Generation Energy Council Report submitted to the Government of Canada by leading Canadians, which proposed principles on how to build our energy future where the economy and environment go hand in hand.