The Freight Technology Incentives Program is part of Transport Canada's ecoFREIGHT Program, which aims to reduce the environmental and health effects of freight transportation through the use of technology and best practices.

The Freight Technology Incentives Program is designed to encourage the use of innovative environmental technologies in the freight transportation sector by reducing cost barriers of new technologies.

Organizations involved in freight transportation are eligible to apply for cost-shared funding to support the purchase and installation of proven emissions-reducing technologies throughout the freight transportation system. Applicants may be involved in any of the four modes of transportation: air, marine, rail and road. Examples include air carriers, railways, trucking companies, marine carriers, and eligible port and airport facilities.

Under the program, projects may be funded to cover a maximum of 50 per cent of eligible costs, not exceeding $500,000 over a two-year period.

Viterra Inc., Canada’s leading agri-business, will receive a contribution of up to $490,750 under the program to assist with the purchase of an ultra low-emitting genset locomotive, which is designed to reduce air pollution and fuel consumption. The locomotive is to be used at the company’s Pacific grain terminal in Vancouver.

The Freight Technology Incentives Program and the ecoFREIGHT Program fall under the ecoTRANSPORT Strategy. This strategy is part of the Government of Canada’s ambitious agenda to protect the environment and the health of Canadians, and to further Canada’s economic prosperity.

For further information on the Freight Technology Incentives Program, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/ecofreight/programincentive-eng.htm.