No. H260/05
For release November 24, 2005

THREE FREIGHT SUSTAINABILITY
PROJECTS IN QUEBEC ANNOUNCED TO
REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

MONTREAL — Three new projects in Quebec under Transport Canada’s Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program were announced today by Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.

The Government of Canada is investing $449,045 in these projects. The organizations selected to receive funding are Acquis Route inc., Frygy Cube International inc. and Innovation Maritime.

“This funding will help members of Quebec’s transportation industry to undertake new projects to help the environment,” said Mr. Lapierre. “Projects such as the ones announced today demonstrate the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting environmental sustainability, innovation and development.”

The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions from the freight transportation sector in Canada. The Government of Canada will contribute up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $250,000, with applicants and their partners contributing the remainder. Approximately $4.7 million will be allocated under the program between 2001 and 2007.

“I’m pleased to see that members of the freight transportation industry are coming up with innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mr. Lapierre. “The Government of Canada is dedicated to funding industry projects that will ultimately benefit all Canadians by helping the environment.”

To date, the government has announced approximately $4.4 million in funding for 31 projects across Canada under the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program. This program is part of the Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative that was established under the Government of Canada Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change.

More information on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is available at www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP.

Backgrounders with information on projects and the program are attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER THE
SEVENTH ROUND OF THE FREIGHT
SUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

The following projects in Quebec have been selected for the seventh round of funding under the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program:

Evaluation of fuel-saving technologies on three trucks
Project location: Louis-Hébert, Quebec
Acquis Route inc. will receive $93,045 to demonstrate trucks that are equipped with fuel saving technologies. Some of these technologies will prove to be cost-effective, but have not been widely adopted. The company will equip these vehicles with advanced technology tires, semi-automatic transmissions, navigation systems, cab heaters, and on-board computers that provide real-time feedback to drivers on fuel efficiency. Three companies have agreed to work with Acquis Route inc. to test the vehicles. The project will be completed over 18 months.

Marine best practices
Project location: Rimouski, Neigette, Témiscouata and Les Basques, Quebec
Innovation Maritime will receive $218,000 to evaluate and quantify the impact on fuel consumption and emissions of operational measures, including the complete overhaul of propulsion engines, adjustment in transit operation and presence of performance indicators on ships. Results will be determined through the collection and interpretation of data obtained. Some of the collected data will be shared with operations to further improve fuel efficiency and reveal the impact on ships’ operations.

Efficiency comparison between Frygy Cube, Thermo-King and Carrier Transicold refrigeration systems
Project location: Sherbrooke, Quebec
Frygy Cube International inc. will receive $138,000 to demonstrate the efficiency and environmental-friendliness of the Frygy Cube refrigerating system compared to other systems when transporting frozen merchandise. The system is different from others because it draws power from the electricity grid rather than using a diesel engine to power the refrigeration equipment. The Frygy Cube refrigerating system keeps merchandise cold or frozen for 10 hours per day and in an operational context allows the doors to be opened 25 to 30 times per day at an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius.

November 2005

BACKGROUNDER

FREIGHT SUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada's freight transportation sector.

The program, announced as part of the Government of Canada's Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change, will allocate approximately $4.7 million between 2001 and 2007 for projects that meet the program's criteria. Projects are eligible for a maximum program contribution of $250,000 over two years. Government of Canada contributions will cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses, with applicants and their partners contributing the remainder. Some 31 projects have already been approved for funding.

Transport Canada, together with Natural Resources Canada, selects projects to receive funding under the program, taking into account the recommendations of an advisory committee including representatives of other federal departments, academic institutions and other not-for-profit organizations. Applications are accepted twice a year, in the spring and the fall. For specific dates, please see the Applicant's Guide on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program website listed below.

All participants in the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program are required to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and report findings from their projects to the program secretariat at Transport Canada.

Transport Canada will make information on successful technologies and best practices available at conferences and other venues and on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program website at www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP.

The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is part of the Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative which includes a range of different initiatives designed to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in the freight transportation sector.

November 2005