Canada and British Columbia invest in green energy solutions

VANCOUVER — The governments of Canada and British Columbia are investing in infrastructure to get projects under way that meet people’s needs, address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and help communities restart their economies.

On Sept. 1, The Government of Canada announced funding for 11 projects to help B.C. communities save energy and reduce pollution.

“Expanding electric vehicle charging stations across Vancouver Island will make clean transportation more viable for more people,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of environment and climate change and member of parliament for North Vancouver, in a prepared statement. “Encouraging green energy solutions like this is essential to building strong resilient communities. Canada’s Infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger communities.”

In Vancouver, the Sewage Heat Recovery Expansion Project will increase the capacity of the Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU) to provide buildings in the False Creek area with low-carbon heat and hot water. The NEU recycles waste heat and uses a mix of renewable and conventional natural gas to reduce harmful emissions.

Funding is also going towards expanding the network of Level-2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the province. More than 80 new stations will be installed in communities across mid-Vancouver Island, as well as northern and central B.C., making clean transportation options more viable for more people.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $28.5 million in these projects through the Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS) of the Investing in Canada plan, and local and Indigenous communities are contributing more than $13 million. The Government of British Columbia is contributing nearly $18 million through the CleanBC Communities Fund, part of the federal Investing in Canada plan’s Green Infrastructure Stream.