Federal Government and Alberta Invest in Clean Technology

Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced a federal government investment of $13.5 million, through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), to advance technologies being developed by small and medium-sized clean tech enterprises. Government of Alberta funding of $15.3 million, through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and Alberta Innovates, was also announced today by the Honourable Christina Gray, Minister of Labour and Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal, on behalf of Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, for a total investment of $28.8 million in 11 Canadian clean tech businesses.

The funded projects will result in lower greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner methods for oil and gas mining, better energy efficiency in buildings, and other environmental and economic benefits that ensure the health of our communities.

Investments include:

$10 million ($5 million each from federal and provincial governments) for Acceleware Ltd. to develop energy-efficient ways to explore for oil deposits;

• $8.2 million ($3.2 million federal, $5 million provincial) for PurLucid Treatment Solutions, Inc. to develop a new process to cool steam created during oil production, reducing energy demand and lowering costs;
• $2.4 million ($1.2 million each from federal and provincial governments) for Mariner Partners Inc. to develop software to improve energy efficiency in smart buildings;
• $1.9 million ($982,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Calscan Solutions to develop new control systems to eliminate methane emissions from pneumatic equipment;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Agar Corporation, Ltd. to develop new systems for water treatment in oil extraction operations;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for waterStrider Treatment Inc. to develop a new process to treat water recovered during oil and gas production;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Saltworks Technologies Inc. to build a water desalination plant to eliminate the freshwater needed for oil production;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Forward Water Technologies to develop a new water treatment process to lower costs and reduce the need for wastewater disposal during oil production;
• $1 million ($500,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc. to develop a new process to reuse water in oilfield operations and reduce the demand for freshwater;
• $950,000 ($475,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for Fossil Water Corporation to adapt water treatment processes to reduce costs associated with the transport and disposal of wastewater produced during oil production; and
• $322,000 ($161,000 each from federal and provincial governments) for SewerVUE Technology Corp. to develop new technologies to detect failing asbestos cement pipes.

These projects were selected through two joint calls, one involving SDTC and ERA and the other, SDTC and Alberta Innovates.

Investments in clean technology are part of the federal government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.