Wednesday’s budget allocated federal financing that could help the New Brunswick residents, farmers, businesses and entrepreneurs contribute to job creation and building a clean economy.
Below are some highlights that caught our attention:
Climate Change
Investments to support Canada’s transition to a clean economy will flow through three distinct streams:
- Bilateral agreements: $9.2 billion will be provided to provinces and territories over the next 11 years, on a base plus per capita allocation basis, to support priority projects, including those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deliver clean water, safely manage wastewater, help communities prepare for challenges that result from climate change, and help build cleaner, better-connected electricity systems.
- The Canada Infrastructure Bank: At least $5 billion will be available over the next 11 years for green infrastructure projects, including those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deliver clean air and safe water systems, and promote renewable power.
- In addition to its $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Fund, the federal government’s 2017 budget proposes to spend:
- $100 million for the “Smart Grid”, and energy storage technology development and pilot programs;
- $220 million to help northern communities develop renewable energy to replace diesel;
- $182 million to retrofit homes and offices, and build more net-zero housing;
- $200 million to support the deployment of renewable energy technologies nearing commercialization;
- $120 million to deploy infrastructure for electric vehicle charging and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, as well as to support technology demonstration; and,
- $2 billion for a Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to support national, provincial and municipal infrastructure required to deal with the effects of a changing climate.
Tackling Air Pollution
Budget 2017 proposes to provide up to $201 million over four years, starting in 2018–19, to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Health Canada and the National Research Council Canada to continue to take action to address air pollution and undertake activities such as indoor air pollution mitigation. Of interest to us is the investments:
- To support the implementation of the Air Quality Management System (reduce smog and acid rain causing pollution) in cooperation with provinces and territories;
- To help administer and enforce pollution regulations;
- To help make Canadians aware of strategies and tools to reduce exposure to air pollutants; and,
- To continue federal programming to address the health impacts of indoor air pollutants, including radon.
For the agricultural sector
- $70 million over six years, starting in 2017–18, to further support agricultural science and innovation, with a focus on addressing emerging priorities, such as climate change, and soil and water conservation; and,
- As part of the $200 million provided for the Clean Growth in the Natural Resources program, Budget 2017 proposes to provide funding to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to support the expanded adoption of clean technology by Canadian farmers.
Water
To ensure that future generations of Canadians have access to clean water, and to protect the sustainability of Canadian fisheries and the jobs they support, Budget 2017 proposes to develop water protection measures in co-operation with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners.
This includes introducing measures to protect 17 per cent of land and inland waters, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine waters, by addressing the persistent and growing threat of aquatic invasive species and toxic and nuisance algae, and focusing on preserving Canada’s precious freshwater resources.
To prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species, respond rapidly to the detection of new species, and manage the spread of already established aquatic invasive species, Budget 2017 proposes to provide $43.8 million over five years, starting in 2017–18, to Fisheries and Oceans Canada to continue and expand aquatic invasive species programming. This will better protect our waterways and preserve our fisheries, including in the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River Basin and the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
Budget 2017 asserts a bold goal for water: “Clean drinking water for every Canadian, no matter where they live.” More specifically, it proposes to:
- Make available $400 million over three years through the Business Development Bank of Canada for a new Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative that will increase late-stage VC available to Canadian entrepreneurs.
- Invest $300 million over 11 years to launch a Smart Cities Challenge Fund through Infrastructure Canada.
- Invest $21.9 billion in green infrastructure that will support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
- An additional $4 billion over 10 years to build and improve housing, water treatment systems, health facilities and other community infrastructure in Indigenous communities (delivered through Phase 2 of green infrastructure and social infrastructure funding).
Parks
To ensure that visitors are able to enjoy Canada’s national parks for years to come, Budget 2017 proposes to provide up to $364 million over two years on a cash basis, starting in 2018–19, to the Parks Canada Agency to continue its management of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites. A medium- and long-term plan is under development to ensure ongoing support to these highly valued areas.
Science and Research
- Establish a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services.
- Develop a new federal science infrastructure strategy to review of existing investments in federal science infrastructure.
- Develop a Clean Technology Data Strategy—$14.5 million over four years to Natural Resources Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
- Support advanced research in agricultural science and genomics at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, with $70 million over six years, with a focus on climate change, and soil and water conservation.
- Develop and implement a national action plan to respond to the health risks caused by climate change.
- Integrate traditional Indigenous knowledge to build a better understanding of climate change—$83.8 million over five years.
- Creation of 25 Canada 150 Research Chairs—with resources within the existing Canada Excellence Research Chairs program.
- Renew funding of $59.6 million in 2017–18, to support the National Research Council’s business innovation initiatives with an annual budget of $2 million.
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- Read the full the 2017-2018 Federal Budget.
- Read the Conservation Council’s press release: Conservation Council Federal Budget 2017 reaction