Government of Canada Supports Climate Action by Region of Waterloo

OTTAWA, Ontario, March 16 -- Canadian Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the following news release, dated March 12:

Canadians are feeling the impacts and costs of climate change firsthand. By working together, we can take action on climate change in a way that benefits all Canadians. That's why the Government of Canada is working with businesses, cities and towns, Indigenous communities, universities, schools and hospitals to reduce pollution, improve our health, and make life more affordable.

Today, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Waterloo, Bardish Chagger, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced support for climate action by the Region of Waterloo. The Government is investing up to $1.5 million, subject to a formal funding agreement, to help the Region of Waterloo increase gas collection efficiency at the Waterloo Landfill facility.

This investment will help expand the Region's existing landfill gas capture system, which prevents greenhouse gases like methane from being released into the air, and instead uses them to generate renewable energy. The new project will increase gas collection efficiency, further reduce carbon pollution, and increase the generation of renewable electricity at the Waterloo Landfill facility.

The funding comes from the Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund--an important part of Canada's climate plan. The Fund invests in projects that reduce carbon pollution, save money, and create good jobs in a clean economy.

Canada's climate plan puts Canada on track for the biggest reduction in carbon emissions in our country's history. The plan has over 50 measures, including investing in clean energy and phasing out coal power, building public transit, and introducing a price on carbon pollution so that it is no longer free to pollute.

Quotes

"Canadians across the country are coming up with innovative and affordable solutions to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions, saving people money and creating good jobs along the way. By investing in these projects, from coast to coast to coast, the Government of Canada is making sure we are positioned to succeed in the $26 trillion global market for clean solutions and to create good middle-class jobs today and for the future."

- Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Quick facts

Capturing of additional landfill gas will result in additional gas flows and improved quality, which helps increase renewable electricity generation in the Region of Waterloo.

According to Clean Energy Canada, the energy-efficiency measures in Canada's climate plan will help improve Canada's economy and environment between now and 2030 by creating 118,000 new jobs, boosting our GDP by $356 billion, and saving Canadian households an average of $114 a year. The economic benefits of energy efficiency are enormous for Canadians. Every $1 spent on energy efficiency generates approximately $7 of GDP.

The Low Carbon Economy Challenge, valued at $450 million, supports projects that will leverage ingenuity across the country to reduce emissions and generate clean growth.