Environment & Natural Resources

1. Canada Raising Awareness on Zero-Emission Vehicles in Ontario

   Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources; Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre; and Ya’ara Saks, MP for York Centre, announced a combined investment of over $500,000 to two organizations in Ontario to support zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) awareness projects. These projects will help Canadians know about the clean options available when choosing their next vehicle.

2. Canada launches applications for $200 million fund to support pollution-cutting projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund

   Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced that the second round of applications is open for $200 million through the Low Carbon Economy Fund’s Champions stream, which supports a wide range of local pollution cutting initiatives in communities across Canada.

3. Applications launched for $200 million fund to support pollution-cutting projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund

   On January 27, 2022, the Government of Canada opened the second round of applications for $200 million in funding for climate action initiatives through the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund Champions stream.

4. New Home Energy Retrofits Coming to Kingston

   Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands Mark Gerretsen, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and Joanne Vanderheyden, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), announced today a $15-million investment through the Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) initiative to implement a residential energy retrofit program that will reduce pollution and help homeowners save money in the City of Kingston.

5. Minister Guilbeault to make an important announcement on the Low Carbon Economy Fund

   The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will hold a virtual press conference to announce funding to fight climate change through the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF). He will be joined by Mr. Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, New Brunswick, and funding program recipients.

6. MP Gerretsen to Make a Community Efficiency Financing Initiative Announcement 

   Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and Joanne Vanderheyden, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will make a virtual announcement to support home energy retrofits in Kingston.

7. New EV Chargers Coming to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Region 

   Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today a $2 million investment for The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) to help support the deployment and installation of up to 294 EV chargers in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

8. PS Dabrusin to Make an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Announcement

   Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, will make a virtual announcement to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Ontario.

9. New EV Chargers Coming to Alberta

   The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today a $2-million investment to Alberta Municipalities to help support the deployment and installation of up to 260 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Alberta.

10. British Columbia-based trading company fined $75,000 and ordered to forfeit 20,196 shark fins

    On January 17, 2022, Hang Hing Herbal Medicine Ltd. was sentenced to pay a $75,000 fine after earlier pleading guilty in the Provincial Court of British Columbia in Vancouver to a charge of unlawfully importing a protected shark species without a permit.

11. Canadians help to reach 25 by 25 conservation targets with donations of $1 billion in land

    The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Ecological Gifts Program has reached an important milestone: Canadians have donated over one billion dollars’ worth of ecologically sensitive land for the purpose of conservation since 1995.

12. Deadline for public submissions to 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan extended

    Since the formal engagement process launched on December 10, 2021, the federal government received approximately 20,000 public submissions. In response to the overwhelming interest and useful feedback received so far, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, is extending the deadline for public submissions to the 2030 ERP by one week to 11:59 p.m. PST on January 21, 2022.

13. Statement by Minister Wilkinson Congratulating Canadian Clean Technology Companies

    Today, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, released a statement on the Cleantech Group’s 2022 Global Cleantech 100 list of Companies Committed to Taking Action on the Climate Crisis.

14. Canada’s Bold Policies and Support for Innovation Can Underpin a Successful Energy Transition Says New IEA Policy Review 

    Canada has embarked on an ambitious transformation of its energy system, and clear policy signals will be important to expand energy sector investments in clean and sustainable energy sources, according to a policy review by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

15. New EV Chargers Coming to Ontario 

    Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Windsor–Tecumseh, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $2-million investment to the Essex Powerlines Corporation to help support the deployment and installation of up to 300 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Windsor-Essex County and put Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future.

16. PS Kusmierczyk to Make an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Announcement

    Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Windsor–Tecumseh, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, will make a virtual announcement to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

17. Minister Wilkinson Participates in IEA’s In-Depth Review of Canada’s Energy Policies (Virtual)

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, will participate in the launch of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2021 In-Depth Review of Canada’s Energy Policies.

18. Up to 250 New Electric Vehicle Chargers Coming to Nova Scotia

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of over $1.2 million to Nova Scotia’s Clean Foundation to help support the deployment and installation of up to 250 Level-2 EV chargers throughout the province.

19. Minister Wilkinson Refocuses Emissions Reduction Fund Onshore Program

    Methane is responsible for approximately 30 percent of the global rise in temperatures to date and accounts for approximately 13 percent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting emissions from methane is one of the fastest and lowest-cost ways to fight climate change and is one of the top recommendations made by climate scientists in the most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

20. Canada publishes progress report towards 2025 methane emissions reduction target and launches consultations on 2030 target

    The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, released a report confirming that Canada is on track to meet the goal of reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40–45 percent by 2025.

21. 22 Electric Vehicle Chargers Coming to St. Lawrence College

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an investment of $110,000 to St. Lawrence College for the installation of 22 Level-2 EV chargers on its campuses in Cornwall, Brockville and Kingston.

22. Government launches consultations on commitment to require all new cars sold in Canada be zero emission by 2035

    Climate change is impacting Canadians, their communities, and the economy in ways never seen before. The Government of Canada understands that taking action to address climate change is critical to ensuring clean air and a safe, sustainable environment. To that effect, the government is taking action, along with Canadians in all parts of the country, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to cut pollution. Reducing pollution in the transportation sector, one of Canada’s largest sources of emissions, through the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, is one of the most effective ways to protect the environment, improve air quality, and build a prosperous net-zero economy by 2050.

23. Canada supports community-based action on freshwater protection through the EcoAction Program

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced close to $4 million in funding to support fifty-two new projects over the next four years under the EcoAction Community Funding Program.

24. Government of Canada Announces New Resources to Strengthen Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change in the Atlantic Provinces

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC), today announced two new resources to help support adaptation to climate change and strengthen resilience in Atlantic Canada.

25. Atlantic Provinces Chapter of Regional Perspectives Report

    The Atlantic Provinces chapter is part of the Canada in a Changing Climate: Regional Perspectives Report, which provides science-based information on the impacts of climate change on the communities, environment and economy of the Atlantic Provinces. The chapter also highlights concrete, on-the-ground examples of actions underway to adapt to these impacts and improve resilience.

26. The Impacts of a Changing Climate: Canada’s Top Ten Weather Stories of 2021

    This year’s stories clearly demonstrate that Canadians across the country are experiencing unprecedented extreme weather, in the form of devastating flooding, widespread wildfires, relentless heatwaves, and powerful tornadoes. Scientists have made a clear link between climate change and more frequent and severe weather events, which is why the government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help prevent the impacts of climate change and investing to increase resiliency.

27. 438 Electric Vehicle Chargers Coming to Multi-Unit Residential Buildings Across Canada

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an investment of over $730,000 to install 438 Level-2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers at multi-unit residential buildings in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Alberta.

28. Government of Canada launches Call for Proposals to support marine conservation efforts across Canada

    Ottawa, Ontario – With the devastating impacts of climate change on display around the world, the Government of Canada is more committed than ever to working with industry, governments, and communities across the country to protect and restore our oceans. Canada’s oceans are home to a rich diversity of species, habitats, and ecosystems that need our help in order to thrive. They feed our families, support important industries, and connect us all.

29. Canada Supports Indigenous Advisory Council for SMR Action Plan 

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an investment of $800,000 in the First Nations Power Authority to create a national Indigenous Advisory Council as part of Canada’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Action Plan.

30. Canadian Coast Guard to hold technical briefing on remediation work on wreck of La Grande Hermine, on Lake Ontario

    Ottawa, Ontario – Members of the media are invited to participate in a technical briefing via teleconference about the Canadian Coast Guard’s upcoming remediation work on the shipwreck of La Grande Hermine, on Lake Ontario.

31. Canada’s Top 10 Weather Stories of 2021

    Media representatives are advised that Senior Climatologist David Phillips and Physical Science Specialist Chantal McCartin will present Canada’s Top 10 Weather Stories for 2021.

32. New Electric Vehicle Chargers Coming to Ottawa

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $2-million investment for Hydro Ottawa to support the installation of up to 350 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the City of Ottawa, making it more accessible for families to purchase an EV.

33. Canada invests $3.1 million to protect the Great Lakes and launches new call for proposals

    Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced that the Government of Canada is investing more than $3.1 million over three years in thirty-two new projects funded under the Great Lakes Protection Initiative.

34. Meet the Ministers: A Fireside Chat with Federal Ministers Guilbeault, Murray, and Wilkinson

    Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will participate in a fireside chat hosted by Sandra Schwartz, National Executive Director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).

35. Government of Canada announces $200M to address climate change by restoring carbon-rich ecosystems through nature-based solutions

    Building on Canada’s commitment to protect and conserve nature, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, today announced that applications are now being accepted for the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. With up to $200 million available over the next five years, the funding will help individuals and organizations reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions by conserving, restoring, and enhancing the management of critical ecosystems.

36. Release of the 2021 Atlas of Canada World Map

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, launched the 2021 Atlas of Canada World Map. Produced by the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO), the 2021 World Map combines the latest scientific and geopolitical data with profound cartographic expertise, resulting in a modern, digital reference that is freely available for anyone to view and download.

37. Canada to launch consultations on new climate commitments this month, establish Emissions Reduction Plan by the end of March 2022

    The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act requires the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, to establish the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) within six months of royal assent, with the authority to extend this deadline by ninety days. Today, the Minister confirmed that the 2030 ERP would be established by the end of March 2022.

38. Project recipients receive additional funding under the Ghost Gear Fund

    Through the Ghost Gear Program, the Government of Canada has been working with partners to rid our oceans of ghost gear and create new solutions to reduce fishing debris. In 2021, the Ghost Gear Program provided additional support to 37 projects, many of which focus on increasing Canada’s recycling capacity for end-of-life fishing gear, and identifying and removing ghost gear from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Fraser River in British Columbia.

39. First case of SARS-CoV-2 detected in Canadian wildlife

    Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Public Health Agency of Canada, Parks Canada, provincial and territorial governments, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC), and academic partners have been proactively engaged in research to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has spilled into wildlife.

40. Canada Opens Call for Research, Development and Demonstration Projects on Industrial Decarbonization and Low-Carbon Fuels

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a new call for expressions of interest to support low-carbon fuels research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects, further advancing Canada’s competitiveness as markets shift to more sustainable, low-carbon operations.

41. Government of Canada Announces $1-Million Grand Prize Winner  of the Women in Cleantech Challenge

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, in concert with MaRS, announced the $1-million grand prize winner of the Impact Canada Women in Cleantech Challenge: Amanda Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Summit Nanotech, based in Calgary, Alberta.

42. Canada and FCM Announce Support for Energy Efficient Affordable Housing

    The SAH initiative is investing $1,701,030 in 16 plans, studies and pilot projects to support the building or retrofitting of 16,753 units in communities across Canada.

43. Electric Vehicle Chargers Coming to Dufferin County

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an investment of over $289,000 to Dufferin County to install 44 electric vehicle (EV) chargers for its vehicle fleet and residents as part of the journey to a net-zero future.

44. Media technical briefing regarding upcoming severe weather in British Columbia

    Media representatives are advised that Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Warning Preparedness Meteorologist, Armel Castellan, will provide an update on more significant weather approaching British Columbia.

45. Media technical briefing regarding upcoming severe weather in British Columbia

    Media representatives are advised that Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Warning Preparedness Meteorologist, Armel Castellan, will provide an update on more significant weather approaching British Columbia.

46. Ministers Steven Guilbeault and Jonathan Wilkinson’s joint statement on five reports tabled by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

    Ministers Steven Guilbeault and Jonathan Wilkinson’s joint statement on five reports tabled by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

47. Canada takes action to protect important Western Chorus Frog habitat in Longueuil, Quebec

    The Government of Canada recognizes that urgent action is needed to help the recovery of the Western Chorus Frog, a species at risk listed under the Species at Risk Act. Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced that the Government of Canada is issuing an Emergency Order in Longueuil, Quebec, to protect habitat of critical importance to the species.

48. Minister Bibeau to update on potato wart in Prince Edward Island and additional measures to prevent its spread and impact on trade

    Members of the media are invited to join the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, for a news conference on potato wart detections in Prince Edward Island and the announcement of additional measures to prevent its spread.

49. Media technical briefing regarding upcoming severe weather in British Columbia

    Media representatives are advised that Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Warning Preparedness Meteorologist, Armel Castellan, will provide an update on more significant weather approaching British Columbia.

50. Emissions Reduction Fund Onshore Program Making Major Strides in Cutting Methane Emissions

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced that after one year of its launch, the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) Onshore Program is making major strides in reducing methane emissions by helping oil and gas companies adopt clean technologies while maintaining jobs in the sector.