Search

After Ontario's closure of all remaining coal-fired power plants in 2014, Canada implemented regulations on GHG emissions from coal fired electricity plants, that effectively ban the construction of new coal-fired generation that does not utilize capture and storage technology. In 2016, Canada proposed amendments to these regulations to accelerate its commitment to the phase-out of conventional coal-fired power plants by 2030. In October 2014, SaskPower commissioned the world's first integrated carbon capture and storage facility at the Boundary Dam coal plant in Saskatchewan. Despite the fact that, according to the IEA, Canada is not currently on track to meet its 2020 GHG emissions reduction goals, there are several positive trends, notably a marked decrease in emissions from electricity generation, and programmes at federal and provincial levels to deploy renewables.

Federal and provincial governments manage several programmes to encourage R&D in all sectors, including innovation in renewable energy, such as hydro, wind and solar energy, and biofuels. Federal assistance encompasses grants, subsidized funding and other financial incentives, tax incentives, pricing (regulatory) subsidies, and support for R&D. (...)

The ecoENERGY for Renewable Power Program provides a 1 cent per kWh incentive for qualifying renewable energy projects commissioned by 31 March 2011. Projects are eligible to receive the incentive for electricity produced for up to ten years. The programme will end on 31 March 2021.

In Quebec, Hydro Québec has been using minimum regional-content requirements in its wind energy requests for proposals since 2004, notably to foster social and economic development of Indigenous communities.

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Renewable Fuels Regulations, 2010 define a commitment to expand the production and use of biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, under Canada's Renewable Fuels Strategy to reduce GHG emissions; these federal measures created substantial additional demand for ethanol and biodiesel. The four key elements of the strategy include:
• a requirement for fuel producers and importers to comply with a renewable fuel content of 5% of average annual gasoline production or imports (and 2% of the diesel pool);
• support for biofuels production, led by the AAFC;
• support for next-generation technologies; and
• the Federal ecoEnergy for the Biofuels Program of 2007, which was completed in March 2018. Over its duration, this Program provided CAD 1.5 billion to support the production of renewable biofuel alternatives to gasoline and diesel. In April 2018, an evaluation of the Program was published.

Five provinces have renewable fuels mandates equal to, or higher than, the current federal requirements to further emissions reductions and support their renewable fuels industry. (...)

While mining activities fall under provincial jurisdiction, mining projects are subject to both provincial and federal Environmental Assessments. The federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Environment and Climate Change Canada have an important role in the Environmental Assessments of almost all major mining projects, as well as serving as the Crown's consultation coordinator for many major resource projects. Canada is currently working to modernize its federal environmental assessment and regulatory processes. The proposed changes, including a new impact assessment process, aim to support jobs and economic opportunities through a more timely, predictable, and transparent assessment process that strengthens investor confidence, restores public trust, advances Indigenous reconciliation, and enhances environmental performance.

Canada's Mines Ministers announced the development of the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP) in March 2018. The Plan focuses on six Strategic Directions that are organized by thematic priorities, for supporting a competitive and sustainable sector, including Economic Development and Competitiveness; Advancing the Participation of Indigenous Peoples; the Environment; Science, Technology and Innovation; Community; and Global Leadership. A series of Action Plans will operationalize this Plan.

Canada implemented a number of programmes aimed at stimulating R&D in the automotive industry. In 2008, the Federal Government introduced the Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF), providing CAD 250 million over five years to back strategic, large-scale R&D projects in the automotive sector that support innovative, greener and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

In 2012, the Government of Canada and the aviation industry released Canada's Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation. This voluntary Action Plan sets a target for an average annual improvement in aviation fuel efficiency of at least 1.5% until 2020 from a 2008 baseline . Furthermore, the Action Plan identifies a series of supporting measures that are expected to have the greatest impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions over time (e.g. fleet renewals and upgrades, improved capabilities in air traffic management, and alternative fuels). (...)