December 4, 2009

OTTAWA — Canada’s Economic Action Plan is helping to assist workers in the forestry sector, invest in clean energy technologies and increase opportunities for Canadians to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is investing in projects that are creating jobs now when they are needed the most, while protecting our environment and stimulating the economy,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources. “These investments are creating new opportunities for our forest communities and demonstrating Canada’s international leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy technologies.”

The $1-billion Community Adjustment Fund is taking unprecedented steps to support workers in resource-dependent communities to help secure a sustainable forest sector for the future. Over the next two years, this fund will create jobs while supporting economic renewal in communities across Canada. The Government of Canada is also investing $170 million over two years to support the development of new markets, products and processes that will allow Canada’s forest sector to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the global marketplace.

The Clean Energy Fund is advancing Canada’s leadership on clean energy technologies and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from energy production. To date, $466 million has been invested in three carbon capture and storage projects, which will create clean energy jobs for Canadians.

Homeowners responded quickly to the additional $300 million in the EAP for the ecoENERGY Retrofit–Homes Program, which is generating an estimated $2.4 billion in economic activity across the country, creating and protecting jobs for Canadians. For example, more than 600 new energy advisors have been certified under the ecoENERGY Retrofit–Homes program since the program was expanded April 1, 2009.

Furthermore, homeowners who participate in the program save on average 23 percent in energy costs and 3.3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.