Ontario Centres Of Excellence And Alberta's Climate Change And Emissions Management Corporation Collaborate To Reduce GHG Emissions

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and Alberta's Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation  (CCEMC) are partnering to bolster cross-provincial efforts that support innovative technology breakthroughs for reducing carbon emissions.

In an announcement in Edmonton today, Premier Rachel Notley and Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the signing of an agreement between OCE and CCEMC to focus on the strengths of both provinces to accelerate solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Five months ago, the Ontario government entrusted OCE with managing and executing its $74 million greenhouse gas innovation initiative. This multifaceted program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging large GHG emitters to adopt leading-edge technologies and by supporting entrepreneurs in developing creative solutions.

In an effort to provide increased support for projects and drive improved outcomes, OCE is leveraging additional financial investments from industry and other public sector partners. They include longstanding partner the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and a new partnership announced last month with Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

"We welcome this opportunity to work in partnership with CCEMC as a means of maximizing the impact of clean technology innovation," said OCE President and CEO Dr. Tom Corr. "We share their strong commitment to working collaboratively with industry to commercialize creative new technologies that help to address today's climate change challenges while stimulating economic growth."

CCEMC has committed more than $320 million in funding to over 100 projects to help Alberta address climate change. Funding for CCEMC comes from Alberta's Large Final Emitters who choose to pay a levy into the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund to comply with legislation that sets emissions limits for facilities.

"CCEMC will continue to work with industry and our newest partner, OCE, to advance the development of new clean technologies that we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta," said CCEMC CEO Steve MacDonald. "By strategically investing the carbon levy, we will help create jobs, diversify the economy and advance Alberta's Climate Leadership Plan."

On Tuesday, Alberta introduced the Climate Leadership Act. The Act will ensure the carbon price currently applied to large emitters will be invested to the benefit of all Albertans. Alberta will continue to pursue technologies and initiatives that help large emitters reduce their carbon footprint.

"Alberta is taking a leadership role in combating climate change with our Climate Leadership Plan, which values partnerships and knowledge sharing," said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. "This collaborative effort will ensure knowledge and expertise crosses borders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create new high tech jobs, and protect the health of Alberta's and Ontario's residents."

Last year, Ontario became the first province in Canada to set a mid-term greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 37 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030.  The province can also boast the largest greenhouse gas reduction initiative in North America to date by putting an end to coal-fired power.

"Ontario is already a North American leader in clean energy solutions," said Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. "This new agreement will open the door to more joint initiatives between top innovators and scientists from Ontario and Alberta to help reduce carbon emissions and create more economic opportunities."

OCE already has a valued partnership with Alberta Innovates, which brings industry and academia together in cross-provincial collaborations to solve key industry challenges in both Ontario and Alberta through research and development.