Clean Growth Hub Newsletter: Issue 16

2022 Fall Economic Statement

On November 3, 2022, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland released the 2022 Fall Economic Statement. The statement lays out an ambitious plan to strengthen industry and build a thriving net-zero economy with opportunities and jobs, across the country and across the economy. To put workers across Canada at the forefront of building a net-zero economy, the federal government proposes to provide $250 million to Employment and Social Development Canada to help ensure Canadian workers can thrive in a changing global economy and $60 million to create new supplemental supports to existing federal and provincial or territorial programming. To secure Canada's competitiveness and create good jobs for workers, the government is launching the Canada Growth Fund and proposes tax measures for clean technologies and clean hydrogen.

• Read clean tech specific measures in Chapter 2 of the 2022 Fall Economic Statement
• Access the Backgrounder on Chapter 2: Jobs, Growth, and Economy That Works for Everyone

Canada's $3.8-billion Critical Minerals Strategy Seizes Generational Opportunity for Clean, Inclusive Growth

On December 9, 2022, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, released Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, backed by up to $3.8 billion in federal funding allocated in Budget 2022. The proposed funding covers a range of industrial activities, from geoscience and exploration to mineral processing, manufacturing and recycling applications, including support for research, development and technological deployment. The Strategy maps out how Canada can seize generational opportunity in a way that accomplishes five key outcomes:

• Supporting economic growth, competitiveness and job creation;
• Promoting climate action and environmental protection;
• Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples;
• Fostering diverse and inclusive workforces and communities; and
• Enhancing global security and partnership with allies.

The Strategy focuses on opportunities at every stage along the value chain for Canada's 31 critical minerals, from exploration to recycling. It is the result of extensive consultations that have validated the Government of Canada's approach to date as outlined in June's Discussion Paper.

• Read the full news release

Countries Commit to the Sustainable Development and Sourcing of Critical Minerals

At COP15 on December 12, 2022, the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced that Canada, along with Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, are launching the Sustainable Critical Minerals Alliance to drive the global uptake of environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive and responsible mining, processing and recycling practices and responsible critical minerals supply chains. The Alliance aligns with the G7 2030 Nature Compact commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 through a globally wide system change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development.

Through the Sustainable Critical Minerals Alliance, members will voluntarily work toward developing sustainable and inclusive mining practices and sourcing critical minerals that employ a nature-positive approach; support local and Indigenous communities; help fight climate change; restore ecosystems; build a circular economy; and foster ethical corporate practices.

• Read the full news release

Government of Canada launches National Adaptation Strategy

On November 24, 2022, the Government of Canada launched Canada's National Adaption Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy for engagement and final consultations, while also announcing the federal government's action and investment plan for the immediate future. The announcement includes $1.6 billion in new federal funding commitments to help protect communities from coast to coast to coast. Funding will help municipalities and townships build public infrastructures of the future, such as roads and bridges, that can withstand flooding, make sure Canadians have access to the information they need to stay safe during wildfires, and enable engagement and work with Indigenous communities on the development of region-specific health initiatives linked to changing climate conditions. The additional funding builds on existing federal commitments to adaptation, disaster resilience, and disaster response that total more than $8 billion to date.

• View the full announcement
• Read the Backgrounder
• Access the full strategy

Canada launches Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050

On November 9, 2022, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, along with Marie Glenn, Chair of the Board of the Cement Association of Canada (CAC) and VP Enterprise Strategy at Ash Grove Cement Inc., and Adam Auer, President and CEO of the CAC, released the Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050. The Roadmap charts the course to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the cement and concrete sector by 15 million tons by 2030 and achieving net-zero concrete by 2050, and will establish Canada as a frontrunner in low-carbon cement and concrete production.

• Learn more about Canada's Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete
• View the full roadmap

Innovation and Electricity Regulation Initiative: website launch

The Innovation and Electricity Regulation Initiative (IERI) is part of the Government of Canada's Clean Technology Regulatory Review Roadmap. IERI works to better understand Canada's energy regulatory landscape related to grid modernization, energy system innovation and net-zero emission pathways. The team will be conducting targeted research and stakeholder engagement and seeks opportunities for increased collaboration and shared learning within the energy regulatory community across Canada.

• Learn more about the Innovation and Electricity Regulation Initiative
• View a summary of preliminary stakeholder engagements

BDC launches new $400M Climate Tech Fund II

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs has announced its new $400 million Climate Tech Fund II, a renewed commitment to play a leadership role in creating world-class Canadian cleantech champions. The new envelope brings the Fund's committed investments in the innovative cleantech/climate tech sector to $1 billion. BDC launched its Cleantech Practice's $600 million Fund I in 2018 to address the lack of risk capital for the commercialization and scale up of Canada's cleantech and climate tech industry. The fund was innovative in that it was flexible, multistage (seed to growth), and patient, which better suited the entrepreneurs in this space.

• View the full announcement

Announcement of up to $800 Million in Funding to Advance Canada's Clean Fuels Sector

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, has announced that approximately 60 projects have been selected to receive funding under the Government of Canada's $1.5-billion Clean Fuels Fund. These projects represent a first tranche of the highest-ranking applications from last year's call for proposals and have a total combined value of more than $3.8 billion. They include production facilities, as well as feasibility and front-end engineering and design studies, spanning seven jurisdictions and covering five different fuel types.

• View the full announcement
• Learn more about the Clean Fuels Fund

Canada releases Faster and Further: Canada's Methane Strategy

On September 23, 2022, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced Faster and Further: Canada's Methane Strategy. The Strategy provides a pathway to further reduce methane emissions from across the economy while supporting Canadian technology and creating good-paying jobs. It builds on Canada's existing progress and commitments, including the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

The Methane Strategy outlines how Canada will:

• implement measures across sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, to reduce the largest sources of methane emissions;
• strengthen the clean technology sector and provide tools to industry to achieve cost-effective methane emission reductions while creating good-paying jobs;
• advance scientific knowledge and technical capacity to improve methane detection, measurement, and reporting;
• meet international climate targets under the Paris Agreement and Global Methane Pledge; and
• solidify its global leadership and provide funding, tools, and best practices for other countries to achieve emissions reductions.

The measures outlined in the Strategy, Canada will reduce domestic methane emissions by more than 35 percent by 2030, compared to 2020 levels. This will exceed the Global Methane Pledge target of 30 percent that Canada signed on to last year.

• Read the full news release
• Access the full strategy

Call for proposals for Science & Technology Internship Program – Green Jobs

Natural Resources Canada's Science & Technology Internship Program (STIP) – Green Jobs, has launched a call for proposals seeking applications from organizations to deliver youth employment programming for fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. STIP – Green Jobs provides funding to employers in natural resources sectors to hire and mentor eligible youth between ages 15-30 for internships of up to 12 months. Additionally, STIP – Green Jobs supports youth training placements that build relevant knowledge and skills for future employment in natural resources sectors.

• Deadline to submit a proposal: January 11, 2023
• View the call for proposals page for more information and how to apply

Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program – Call for Proposals

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is enhancing its mobility, reach and footprint in Canada's North to support operations and exercises and minimising environmental pressures such as pollution, in order to reduce adverse environmental effects. The Department of National Defence's Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program has launched a Call for Proposals (CFP) on November 9th for innovative solutions that can enable the safe transit of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and cargo between Arctic/Offshore Patrol Vessels and shore, in the absence of shore infrastructure (e.g., docks or jetties), with an emphasis on minimizing the greenhouse emissions for any proposed solution.

• Deadline for Canadian innovators to submit a proposal: December 20, 2022
• For more information on the Challenge, visit the Land to sea with low greenhouse gas emissions CFP on the IDEaS website

2022 call for concept notes – Indigenous Peoples Partnering for Climate

Global Affairs Canada has launched a call for concept notes as part of Canada's $5.3 billion international climate finance commitment through which $315 million has been allocated to the Partnering for Climate initiative to leverage the climate action expertise and commitment of organizations in Canada. Within this initiative, $15 million has been earmarked over 5 years to fund projects that support climate action priorities of Indigenous Peoples. This call for concept notes is for overarching projects led by Indigenous organizations in Canada, non-Indigenous organizations in Canada with strong connections with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and/or partnerships between the 2 kinds of organization. A working group with representatives from the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, Métis National Council, and Global Affairs Canada designed this call.

• Deadline to submit concept notes: February 8, 2023
• Learn more about Indigenous Peoples Partnering for Climate

Canadian Technology Accelerators

The Canadian Technology Accelerators (CTA) initiative, offered by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, is a global business development program that supports Canadian companies in key global hubs in cleantech, information and communications technologies, and life sciences.

Current cleantech CTA opportunities to expand into international markets:

Taipei Sustainable Development Technology CTA

As a major player in global supply chains, Taiwan is working to understand and integrate the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the country's industries. The Taipei Sustainable Development Technology CTA is recruiting companies that offer solutions in the area of sustainable development technologies. Participating companies will benefit from strategic partnerships and business development between Canada and Taiwanese industry. Through this business development program, Canadian companies will gain access to leading global information and communications technology (ICT) companies, connect with leading Taiwanese conglomerates, validate their technology and expand into Asia.

• Deadline to apply: February 15, 2023
• Learn more and apply for the Taipei Sustainable Development Technology CTA

CanExport Associations

The CanExport Associations program is now open for its annual applications intake process. This is a funding program for Canadian national industry associations and trade organizations for new or expanded international business development activities that benefit an entire industry: organization's members and non-members alike. Eligible recipients may access up to $250,000 in annual funding. CanExport Associations will cover up to 50% of eligible costs. Proposals will be accepted from:

• Canadian national industry or trade associations
• Canadian national bilateral chambers of commerce and business councils
• Canadian national horizontal / multi-sectoral organizations
• Canadian national organizations representing companies majority owned by under-represented groups in trade (e.g. Indigenous, women, LGBTQ2)

CanExport Associations is administered by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.

• Deadline to apply: January 10, 2023
• Learn more and apply for CanExport Associations.

Accelerated Growth Service (AGS)

Innovation Canada's Accelerated Growth Service helps high-growth businesses rooted in Canada access the support they need to scale. A dedicated Innovation Advisor can provide targeted, specialized advice in the areas where companies need it most and can help connect them with a custom-built team of government partners offering support.

• Learn more about qualifying for the Accelerated Growth Service.
• For more information, call the Accelerated Growth Service toll-free in Canada at 1-833-201-4358 (TTY: 1-866-694-8389), or reach out by email.

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP)

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is Canada's leading innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The program helps companies build their innovation capacity and take ideas to market. Its mission is to accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized businesses by providing them with a comprehensive suite of innovation services and funding. NRC IRAP has introduced initiatives such as the Cleantech Fast Pilot Program, a funding program that is specifically designed to help Canadian cleantech firms:

• demonstrate and prove their technologies in the international market
• make a commercial breakthrough
• accelerate their commercial scale-up
• improve their bankability

To learn more, visit the NRC IRAP website or call 1-877-994-4727.

Cleantech Forum North America

The theme of the 2023 Cleantech Forum North America – From commitments to actions: the sprint to net zero – will inspire a research-led agenda where experts will discuss the big ideas with the power to deliver a cleaner, cooler world. This event will present the opportunity for attendees to connect face-to-face, fund new opportunities, meeting leading innovators and, gain insight into trends and innovations.

• When: January 23 to 25, 2023
• Where: Palm Springs, California
• Learn more about Cleantech Forum North America

GLOBExCHANGE

Building on the themes and outcomes of GLOBE Forum 2022, GLOBExCHANGE will provide the opportunity for stakeholders to exchange solutions, skillsets, and dollars that will take us farther and faster on the road to net zero. Join Canada's premier community of climate and sustainability leaders to accelerate our progress in 10 key action areas and make the connections you need to succeed in a net-zero future.

• When: February 27 to March 1, 2023
• Where: Toronto, ON
• Learn more about GLOBExCHANGE

Americana 2023

Americana is a multi-sector event in which offers a meeting place for environmental professionals to discuss technical, scientific and business topics regarding key issues in the environmental sector. Americana is a biennial event organized since 1995 by Réseau Environnement, the largest network of environmental experts in the province of Quebec. Attendees will have access to more than 100 conferences, workshops and activities, as well as networking opportunities with 150 exhibitors and 7,000 participants from over twenty different countries.

• When: March 20 to 22, 2023
• Where: Montreal, QC
• Learn more about Americana 2023