Feds Announce Funding for Clean, Reliable Energy in First Nations

Thunder Bay – Indigenous and remote communities across Canada are leading the way in prioritizing cleaner, more affordable and more-reliable energy sources as they continue to experience some of the deepest impacts of climate change. Investing in community-led clean energy solutions in Indigenous communities enables energy security, reconciliation, self-determination and economic development.

Jonathan Wilkinson, Patty Hajdu and Gary Anandasangaree announced over $11 million in funding mainly through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program, which will support fifteen clean energy projects in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Quebec.

This funding will support the development of a range of community-led clean energy initiatives in Northern and remote Indigenous communities, such as:

• forest biomass and bioenergy systems;
• solar photovoltaics and battery energy storage systems;
• capacity building, feasibility and front-end engineering and design
• studies; and  energy efficiency and building retrofits

By opting for cleaner forms of energy, communities can reduce their reliance on diesel while saving money.

As Canada and the world increase their use of cheaper and less-polluting forms of energy, the Government of Canada is stepping up to support rural and remote communities that want to reduce their reliance on imported diesel and are leading their own clean energy solutions. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting community-led clean energy projects that increase participation, ownership and decision making by Indigenous Peoples.