March 19, 2018 – St-Eugene, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Canadian farmers are important drivers of the Canadian economy, and also make important contributions in the fight against climate change by adopting sustainable technologies and practices. Clean technology permits farmers to undertake efficient uses of energy and the production of renewable energy, while contributing to the protection of the soil, water and air.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the research, development, demonstration and adoption of clean technologies, because they create good jobs for Canadians and help meet Canada’s climate change goals.
Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay, visited an innovative farm in St-Eugene, Ontario to announce the Agricultural Clean Technology Program. This $25 million, three-year investment will help the agricultural sector reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the development and adoption of clean technologies.
Provinces and territories are eligible to apply for federal funding through this program, and are encouraged to work with industry on projects that focus on precision agriculture and/or bioproducts.
Quotes
“This investment will help Canadian farmers stay on the cutting edge of clean technology by targeting developments in bioproducts and precision agriculture. Our government has made both agriculture and clean technology a priority for growth in our economy. This new program will contribute to Canada’s place as a world leader in agricultural clean technology, helping farmers to develop new and efficient uses of energy, while also protecting our environmental resources and mitigating climate change.”
– Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Today’s announcement provides stable funding to help the agricultural sector move towards more sustainable practices. These funds will help farmers across the country to adopt means of production that are both environmentally friendly and more efficient. Terryland Farms is a perfect example of what can be achieved with sustainable and clean technology practices.”
– Member of Parliament Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell)
Quick facts
- The Agricultural Clean Technology Program is part of the Government of Canada’s suite of clean technology programs and initiatives announced in Budget 2017.
- Statistics Canada estimates there are over a quarter of a million clean tech jobs in Canada, with an average salary of over $90,000.
- The program will launch on April 1, 2018, and a program guide will be available in the coming weeks.
- Bioproducts are renewable products from agricultural waste and outputs. Precision agriculture is a farming practice that uses data gathering technologies to guide targeted farm management actions that improve the sustainability, efficiency and productivity of agricultural operations.
- Investments in clean technology are part of the 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. Investments in clean technology also support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
- In addition to the Agricultural Clean Technology Program, Natural Resources Canada will provide $155 million for clean technology research and development and demonstration projects, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada will invest $20 million to assist Canada’s fisheries and aquaculture industries in improving their environmental performance.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supports the move to a clean growth economy through a variety of science and research activities and the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
- This program will also complement AAFC’s $27 million Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP), which supports research into greenhouse gas mitigation practices and technologies that can be adopted on the farm.