Government of Canada Investment Advances Next Generation of Clean Vehicle TechnologiesOTTAWA, January 10, 2002 — Brenda Chamberlain, Member of Parliament for Guelph-Wellington, on behalf of the Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry, the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $9.3-million repayable Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC)/Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) investment with Linamar Corporation's subsidiary LPP Manufacturing Incorporated.
This investment will help LPP Manufacturing develop cleaner-running small gasoline engines, reducing smog and greenhouse gases. This project, which is expected to create 720 jobs in both the work and benefit phases of the project, will lead to the establishment of the first Canadian centre of technological innovation and expertise in small engine design and development.
“This investment is strong evidence of the Government of Canada's firm commitment to working for a cleaner, healthier environment for Canadians,” said Ms. Chamberlain. “It also demonstrates how the government is supporting innovative technologies necessary for our economy to move forward.”
LPP Manufacturing Incorporated, of Guelph, Ontario, is currently the only manufacturer of small gasoline engines in Canada. Linamar is a Tier 1 automotive parts manufacturer, with facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Hungary.
Funding for this project is provided for in the Government of Canada budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework. The funding for this initiative builds on the Government of Canada's $1.1-billion commitment to help address climate change and implement energy-efficient initiatives. The Government of Canada is working with all levels of government, the private sector and industry to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information, please contact:
Heidi Bonnell
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Kelly Morgan
Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Pat Breton
Press Secretary
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 996-2007
Michael Lenihan
Director, Environmental Technologies
Technology Partnerships Canada
(613) 941-7676
For more information on Technology Early Action Measures and other CCAF projects please visit http://www.climatechange.gc.ca.
This news release and other documents are available on the Technology Partnerships Canada Web site at: http://tpc.ic.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
Government of Canada Investment in Linamar Corporation
Linamar Corporation's subsidiary LPP Manufacturing Incorporated will undertake research and development aimed at producing cleaner-running engines in the five- to 24-horsepower (3.5- to 18-kW) range that meet emerging environmental standards.
LPP engines are sold to original equipment manufacturers that make and sell tractors, portable welders, portable power generators, tillers, recreational vehicle power generators, wood chippers, trash compactors, pumps, compressors, and golf carts.
Because small gasoline engines currently contribute a disproportionately high percentage of airborne pollutants, the LPP project is expected to result in significant environmental benefits. Reductions of 2,000 tonnes per year of total hydrocarbons (THC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 138,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) are forecast. With sub-contracting in Windsor, Ontario, Guelph, Ontario, and Ottawa, Ontario, the investment will help spread small-engine capability in Canada.
LPP Manufacturing Incorporated, of Guelph, Ontario, employs 169 people and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Linamar Corporation, of Guelph. Linamar employs more than 8,000 people.
The Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) was established by the Government of Canada to support projects that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase understanding of climate change. The Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) portion of CCAF invests in technology projects that reduce emissions while sustaining economic and social development.
Established in 1996, Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) is a technology investment fund that contributes to the achievement of Canada's objectives of increasing economic growth, creating jobs and wealth, and supporting sustainable development in many areas of technology. TPC supports Government of Canada initiatives by investing strategically in research, development and innovation. By encouraging private-sector investment, TPC not only spurs growth in the technology base and technological capabilities of Canadian industry, but also encourages the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in all regions of Canada.
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