Climate Change Plan Info-Guide

The following Info-Guide is a document designed to help you navigate through the different government programs, services and regulations which deal with our environment, and identify those of interest. Although most of the questions will be answered in the Info-Guide, the list is by no means exhaustive. The selected items provide a helpful overview of programs, services and regulations regarding the environment. This blended product of both federal and provincial information is developed to answer a growing demand for strategic information by business people. Municipal and other non-government information could be included, depending on the content and region. Further information on these programs, services and regulations can be obtained through any of the following:

• calling the telephone numbers listed under the program descriptions;
• using the links listed in the program descriptions to visit Web sites and Canada Business documents;
• calling a Canada Business service centre and speaking with one of the information agents; or
• visiting the Canada Business Web site.

The Government of Canada (GOC) will invest millions:

• to help business and industry reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using available technologies in areas such as the buildings and transportation sector.
• to develop new technologies to reduce GHG emissions over the longer term, and to help industry seize new economic opportunities.

BUILDINGS

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The Government of Canada encourages the Commercial buildings sector to make its buildings more energy efficient and to increase the use of renewable energy. Some Government investments are thus vehicled through the following programs:

Energy Efficiency Publications - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) has everything you need to save energy, save money and help protect the environment while reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Through its many programs for the residential, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors, the OEE has the most up-to-date information on energy efficiency, alternative energy and clean fuels.

Telephone: 1-800-387-2000 or 613-995-2943 (National Capital Region)
Web site:  http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/infosource/home/index.cfm?attr=0

Industrial Building Incentive Program for New Facilities - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
NRCan’s Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) encourages the design and construction of new, energy-efficient industrial facilities. The Industrial Building Incentive Program (IBIP) is a demonstration initiative, with funding of up to $80 000 for eligible organizations based on process and building savings.

Telephone: 613-947-1948
Web site:  http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/financial-assistance/new-buildings

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

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To help industry meet climate change targets, as well as lay the foundation for new, cleaner technologies and economic opportunities, the Government of Canada invests in technology and innovation, including allocations to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) in Budget 2003.

Most of this investment focuses on five areas critical to achieving the environmental goals, which are:

• cleaner fossil fuels;
• hydrogen economy
• advanced end-use efficiency technology
• decentralized energy
• biofuels

Some programs that may be of interest to you include:

Emerging Technologies Program - ETP - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Up to 50% repayable funding assistance
Emerging Technologies Program (ETP) supports the development and implementation of technological solutions that contribute to a cleaner environment, improved energy efficiency and productivity, higher quality products, reduced waste, and a stronger market position for Canadian companies. In particular, the program focuses on energy-efficient technologies that offer the highest rate of return on R&D investment for Canada's industrial sector.

Clients to date include the pulp and paper, iron and steel, cement, oil and gas, and food and beverage sectors but all Canadian industrial sectors are eligible. ETP's funding assistance for technical assessments of energy-efficient technologies, prototype development and field trials. It is repayable from revenue or cost savings resulting from the project.

Telephone: 613-996-6165
Web site:  http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etb/cetc/cetc01/htmldocs/funding_programs_etp_e.html  

Technology Roadmaps - Industry Canada (IC)
Technology Roadmaps identify the new critical technologies, skills and competencies required to meet future market demands. The roadmaps are initiated and supported by the combined strengths of Canadian industry, academic institutions, research organizations and governments.

Telephone: 613-954-3040
Web site:  http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/trm-crt.nsf/en/Home

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
The Foundation is a catalyst for creative, collaborative solutions that deliver positive environmental and economic impacts to Canadians. The Foundation fosters the rapid development, demonstration and pre-commercialization of technological solutions, which address climate change and air quality. SDTC supports clean-technology projects through these critical stages—without taking an equity stake, without requiring ownership of intellectual property or any repayment of funds.

Among other eligibility criteria, proponents must be part of a partnership/consortium.

Telephone: 613-234-6313
Web site:  http://www.sdtc.ca/en/funding/index.htm

FORESTS

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Planting fast-growing trees helps offset GHG emissions.

Greencover Canada - Land Conversion - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Through its four components (Land Conversion; Critical Areas; Technical Assistance; Shelterbelts), Greencover will provide eligible producers with technical and financial assistance to:

• improve grassland-management practices;
• protect water quality;
• reduce greenhouse-gas emissions; and
• enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

Telephone: 1-866-844-5620
Web site:  http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1181580137261⟨=e

LARGE INDUSTRIAL EMITTERS

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Large industrial emitters (i.e., oil and gas sector, electricity, mining and manufacturing sectors) have been asked to reduce GHG emissions. The sectors are vitally important to Canada's economy and response to climate change. The Government is working closely with the large industrial emitters to help minimize the cost of achieving the objective.

Energy Efficiency Programs - Industrial Sector - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
The purpose is to provide a framework for a voluntary government/industry alliance to help Canada achieve its economic and environmental initiatives through greater energy efficiency in Canada's manufacturing and mining sectors. NRCan administers the following two programs:

• Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
  Provides a framework mechanism for coordinating the development of energy-efficiency goals, action plans and services for each industrial sector. The program provides:
  • technical guidebooks;
  • newsletters on the latest energy efficiency information from NRCan and industry;
  • networking opportunities with other industrial energy managers.

Telephone: 1-800-387-2000 or 613-993-2943 (National Capital Region)
Web site:  http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/cipec/ieep/index.cfm

• Industrial Energy Innovators - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

The initiative encourages industrial energy users to develop long-term energy-management planning. Industrial Energy Innovators have access to a variety of energy efficiency products and services developed by NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE).

Innovators are regularly updated on the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation's international technical information network, new technologies, operating practices and the latest "Dollars to $ense" series of energy management workshops.

The OEE offers a good selection of free in-house case studies and reports that outline new money- and energy-saving technologies. To become an Industrial Energy Innovator, fax the OEE at 613-992-3161 or e-mail cipec.peeic@nrcan.gc.ca

Telephone: 1-877-360-5500 (Buildings Division InfoServices)
Web site:  http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/opportunities/innovator/?text=N&printview;=N

HUMAN RESOURCES

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Environmental Youth Corp. (EYC) and EYC International - Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry (CCHREI)

Up to $8 000 to $12 000 wage subsidy
Supplies companies with:

• a database of hundreds of pre-screened, work-ready young professionals;
• a wage subsidy of up to $8 000 - $12 000 (depending on the length and type of project your company is undertaking).

Telephone: 403-233-0748
Web site: http://www.eco.ca/portal/public_Employer.aspx

EcoAction Community Funding Program - Environment Canada (EC)
Average $25 000 for matching a projects funds or in-kind support.
Non-profit*, non-government groups can apply for funding. This includes community groups, environmental groups, service clubs, First Nations and aboriginal groups, associations and youth or seniors' organizations.

EcoAction encourages projects that protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain activities into the future.

Projects require matching funds or in-kind support from other sponsors. Funding support is available for projects that address Environment Canada's priority environmental issues:

• clean air and the environment;
• clean water;
• nature.

Telephone: 819-953-9450
Web site:  http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction/what_is_e.html

National Environmental Indicators and State of the Environment Reporting Program — Knowledge Integration Directorate - Environment Canada (EC)
The Reporting Program is an Infobase Web site that attempts to answer five key questions:

• What is happening in the environment (i.e., how are environmental conditions and trends changing)?
• Why is it happening (i.e., how are human activities and other stresses linked to the issue in question)?
• Why is it significant (i.e., what are its ecological and socioeconomic effects)?
• What is being done about it (i.e., how is society responding to the issues through government and industry action and voluntary initiatives)?
• Is this sustainable (i.e., are human actions depleting environmental capital and causing deterioration of ecosystem health)?

Telephone: 819-994-9569
Web site:  http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English

REGULATIONS

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Energy Efficiency Regulations - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
A bulletin board of regulations that eliminate inefficient energy-using products from the market to protect Canadian consumers and our environment. For example, regulations that affect dishwashers, water heaters, thermopumps etc.

Telephone: 1-800-387-2000 or 613-993-2943 in the National Capital Region
Web site:  http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/regulations/home_page.cfm

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines - Environment Canada (EC) and Health Canada (HC)
The Guidelines are provided by the National Guidelines and Standards Office, part of Environment Canada. This Office provides nationally approved, science-based measures of environmental quality including guidelines, standards, and objectives. The primary focus of the group is the development of national guidelines for the quality of the following:

• water (HC);
• sediment;
• soil;
• fish tissue residues.

Guidelines are recommended numerical or narrative limits for a variety of pollutants (organic and inorganic chemicals) or environmental quality characteristics (such as dissolved oxygen or pH), which, if not met, may impair the health of Canadian ecosystems.

Telephone: 819-953-1550 (EC) or 613-952-2594 (HC)
Web sites: http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEQG-RCQE/English/default.cfm and  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/index_e.html

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.