Labour Market News

The federal government has provided over $353,710 for Fort Province-based Big River Services Centre LP to research the potential of renewable kinetic energy on the Mackenzie River. The Canadian Hydrological Turbine Testing Centre will lead research in Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Wrigley and Jean Marie River. Four local interns will be hired.

The Government of Canada is providing $619,625 through Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency towards T???ch? Investment Corporation’s solar farm project at STLLR Gold’s Colomac Mine camp site, NWT. Solvest, a Yukon-based solar company, will install solar panels and energy storage at the site as well as train staff on operation and maintenance. The equipment will be trucked to the site in 2025.

The federal government revised its Critical Minerals List to now include high-purity iron, phosphorous and silicon metal. These minerals, which are used in electronic chips, green steel, fertilizers, and batteries, are deemed critical to Canada’s energy transition.

The federal and Yukon governments are providing over $5.1M for a new sewage lift station in Watson, Yukon. The sewage lift station will support residential development for Watson Lake and the Liard First Nation.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing support for several new justice and policing initiatives. The funding includes $4.7M for improved courtroom safety measures and $7M to establish the Saskatchewan Marshals Service and its headquarters in Prince Albert.

The Government of Saskatchewan's Water Security Agency is investing $1M in water infrastructure across the Churchill, Saskatchewan, and North Saskatchewan River watersheds. The projects include dam upgrades and structure replacements that will help ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply to communities in northern Saskatchewan.

Recent data from Statistics Canada shows that travel spending in Saskatchewan increased by $450 million in 2023, driven by a rise in visits from both domestic and international travelers. The Conference Board of Canada projects that tourism revenues will continue to grow, with Saskatchewan expected to reach approximately $3.57 billion in annual visitor expenditures by 2028.

The Government of Canada is providing $6M to the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre for energy-efficient repairs and upgrades. The interpretive centre is located on the edge of the Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area, north of Winnipeg.

BC Hydro has announced that it will construct more than $1.25B in capital projects throughout Burnaby over the next 10 years. The involved construction projects are expected to create thousands of jobs over the period.

The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program has provided nearly $2M to fish and wildlife conservation programs in the Peace Region. These funds will support 24 projects across the region.

The Government of British Columbia is providing the Nelson-based Youth Climate Corps B.C. with $3M to hire more young people in jobs that address climate change. The group works with local governments and First Nation communities to build youth climate leadership in wildfire risk reduction, local food security, energy efficiency, ecosystem restoration and community engagement.

Calgary-based Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. is planning to restructure and acquire a synthetic fuel production facility, located at Carseland, from Rocky Mountain Clean Fuels Inc. Cielo plans to use wood waste to manufacture a diverse portfolio of renewable net zero fuels at the site.

Calgary-based Volt Carbon Technologies Inc., specialists in energy storage and green energy production, is partnering with Green Battery Minerals Inc. to evaluate a graphite asset in northern Quebec. The site could supply graphite for Volt's battery manufacturing processes.

Calgary-based Proactive Planet, a renewable energy technology provider, is partnering with Israel-based Brenmiller Energy Ltd., to become the Alberta distributor of a proprietary thermal energy storage system for industrial companies and electric utilities.

Calgary-based Gibson Energy Inc., an international energy infrastructure company, has secured an agreement with the Canada Growth Fund and Varme Energy for a project that will use landfill waste to generate power and capture carbon in the process.

The N.S. Government has announced $6.5M to create the new 3-year Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund to assist the provincial seafood sector reduce the carbon footprint of their operations with new projects.

Halifax Regional Municipality has stated that the initial spring timeline for the installation of 56 new electric vehicle charging stations announced in January 2024 won't be met due to process delays with no new installations currently in progress.

After Atlantic Mining wrapped up operations at the Touquoy gold mine in Moose River back in 2023, they now plan to partner with Halifax-based renewable energy firm Natural Forces for a feasibility study to explore repurposing the mine to create a hydro energy storage system and solar farm.

NL Hydro has announced a $1B investment in the Bay d'Espoir hydroelectric dam on NL’s south coast including a new combustion turbine to support future power demand increases over the next decade due to population growth and electrification. The additional power is expected to come online by 2034.

Saint John Energy is collaborating with Deloitte on its Zero30 project, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. The initiative’s focus is to develop a clean energy supply, innovate, and plan for future energy demand.

A new partnership between McCain Foods, UNB’s McKenna Institute, ResearchNB, and the N.B. government will see nearly $4M invested to help develop sustainable farming technologies. UNB will also create a position to oversee research initiatives.

The Government of Quebec announced a $59.5M investment in protecting the caribou populations in Charlevoix and Gaspésie

Lithion Technologies, a company specializing in metal processing, completed construction on its mineral extraction plant for lithium-ion batteries in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville. Once operational, the plant will employ 60 people.

The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal is investing some $56M in adding a building to La Dauversière-Évangéline secondary school in the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville. More than 625 students could be enrolled by the start of the 2026 school year.

ECO Canada, an environmental workforce think-tank, has highlighted labour shortages and the impact of increasing retirements in its latest report "Green Goals and Great Opportunities: Canada’s Environmental Labour Demand Forecast to 2033."

Cerilon Inc., a Calgary-based technology company specializing in energy transitions, is progressing its gas-to-liquids facility project in North Dakota into the front end engineering design stage.

ECO Canada, a national green workforce consultancy, is forecasting that more than 480,000 new skilled workers will be required in the environmental sector to fill demand over the next decade.

Captus Generation, in partnership with Westlake Petroleum, is planning to build a natural gas-fired power plant with incorporated carbon capture and sequestration in the MD of Pincher Creek.

The Government of Canada has announced $2.95M in funding to the new Ronald McDonald House in Halifax through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. Construction began in 2022 and is ongoing. When completed, the new location will double the number of people it can support.

Three of N.S.’s biggest industrial manufacturers - The Shaw Group, Michelin and Port Hawkesbury Paper - are exploring the potential of using green hydrogen to power parts of their operations. Two green hydrogen projects (EverWind Fuels and Bear Head Energy) have received provincial approval.

Pattern Energy is the first Canadian green hydrogen company to break into the European green hydrogen market after signing a letter of intent with German energy company Mabanaf. Their $1.5B project will develop 4,000 acres owned by the Port of Argentia to produce ammonia via wind turbines.

Belleville Christian School officially opened its new location in May, expecting to enroll around 230 students in September

The federal government and the City of Toronto are investing $14.12M for the Blackhurst Cultural Centre's second phase expansion, expected to be completed by 2025

The Government of Canada is investing $10M in university research in Estrie. The investment will fund research chairs and scholarships for selected students.

The Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is investing $10.3M in rehabilitating Saint-Luc Boulevard. The project is scheduled in multiple phases from June 2024 until the spring of 2025. The project involves adding a bike path and sidewalks, among other things.

Vegpro International, a market gardening company specializing in lettuce, invested $135M in building a fully automated greenhouse in Sherrington. The business expects to sell its first crops in March of 2025.

Exxel Polymers, a business that processes plastic waste in Bromont, is investing over $4M in continuing to expand and in supporting its export projects. The governments of Quebec and Canada are investing nearly $2.9M in the project.

The BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative is providing nearly $300K to West Moberly First Nation for a new geothermal project.

Hydra Energy has announced that its refueling station and hydrogen production facility project has been delayed to fall 2026. The $62M facility will be located in Prince George and will produce 3,250 kg of hydrogen per day.

Canada Infrastructure Bank is lending BC Ferries $75M to help buy four zero-emission vessels and install charging infrastructure. Upgrades to the terminal will be completed by 2027.

The Government of British Columbia is providing $6.7M to Kalesnikoff Mass Timber Inc. through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. These funds will be used to construct a new mass-timber production facility and create 90 sustainable, local forestry jobs in Castlegar.

The NWT government has canceled scheduled barge routes destined for Norman Wells and Tulita due to extreme drought. The record-low water levels may delay supplies transported via barge from six to twelve months, and delay construction projects for a health centre, school, and arena.

The federal government is providing $343,710 to big River Services Centre LP to conduct a renewable energy study on the Mackenzie River in the NWT. Big River aims to investigate the use of an in-stream turbine to generate energy. Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Testing Centre will lead the study, slated to start in July.

The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is creating a community research network, providing a research administrator in each Aklavik, Inuvik, Sachs Harbour, and Paulatuk. The research administrator will help coordinate research programs in each community and provide skills development courses and workshops for residents.

Rio Tinto, a mining company, is moving forward on its plan to aerate Fame Lake near Yellowknife, NWT, to fulfill fish habitat remediation requirements. If successful, the project will allow for fish to be reintroduced at the lake in two years. Det’on Cho Nahanni Construction will install and maintain the aerator.

The federal government is providing $2M toward improving water treatment facilities in Nunavut. The money will be used to develop proposals for upgrading facilities in Clyde River, Coral Harbour, and Igloolik. Money will also go towards design and construction phases for treatment facility projects underway in Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord, Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet, and Sanikiluaq.

Cipher Neutron Inc. and the Energy Materials Research Group at the University of Alberta, have been selected to receive funding from Alberta Innovates through Advancing Hydrogen – Competition 2. The partners will use the funding to further develop Cipher's technology for large-scale green hydrogen production.

Calgary-based Enbridge is planning to start construction in March 2025 on the two phases of the US$1.2B Cowboy solar project in Wyoming, following recent approval from the state's Industrial Siting Council.

The City of Calgary has launched an $89.6M expansion of its composting facility due to rising residential demand. Other funding partners are involved in the project which is expected to be complete in late 2025.

Calgary-based Questor Technology Inc., an emissions reduction technology developer, has received a purchase order for $0.5M to supply a clean combustion unit to a large midstream energy company in Western Canada.

Reconciliation Energy Transition Inc. is partnering with Sumitomo Corporation Group, through a Joint Development Agreement, for the financial support of a carbon dioxide transportation and sequestration hub in deep saline aquifers east of Calgary. Engineering and design studies for the project are scheduled to start immediately.

Protein Industries Canada is leading a $6.2M project along with industry partners to develop Canadian-grown lupin and associated products, and promote lupin as a food ingredient.

CGC Inc. has started construction of its new $210M Sheetrock® brand wallboard manufacturing plant in Wheatland County. The project is expected to create more than 200 jobs during the construction phase and more than 100 permanent, full-time manufacturing jobs once the plant is operational in 2026.

The P.E.I. and federal governments will provide $17M in funding to build a new Abegweit First Nation recreation centre in Scotchfort. The net-zero facility will create new jobs and 10% of the funding will support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis projects.

Island EMS has hired 17 new paramedics to staff P.E.I.’s ambulance service and are always looking for more staff, on top of the 160 paramedics it now employs. Most of the new staff are graduates from Holland College's primary care paramedicine program.

ACOA will provide a repayable contribution of $950K to help Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms Inc. expand, automate and purchase solar panels. The company will build a second facility in Debert, which will result in them doubling its current workforce.

South Common Community Centre and Library in Mississauga, with help form the provincial government, will undergo $61M in major renovations and upgrades over the next three years

Halton Region Conservation Authority will receive $570K from the provincial government to enhance wetlands in Carlisle Conservation Area

The Town of Kirkland Lake received over $2.3M from the federal government for accessibility and energy-efficient upgrades at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex

A new 108-unit apartment complex in Sault Ste. Marie received a $25M repayable loan from the federal government to support construction, it is expected to be completed by late 2025

The Couvent Mont-Saint-Patrice is a multifunctional centre in Richmond. The organization is investing $2.3M, funded entirely by the federal government, in improving the building’s energy efficiency.

Groupe Galland, a coach transportation company based in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, invested over $7M in purchasing five Nova Bus buses with compressed renewable natural gas and in building a pumping station in Mont-Blanc with various partners. These vehicles will serve the city of Mont-Tremblant.

The Zoo de Granby is investing $11M by 2030 in protecting 70 endangered species and reintroducing some of them to their natural environment

The Government of Canada and US government are providing up to $7.5M and $8.74M respectively for Fortune Minerals to develop the Nico mine near Whatì, Northwest Territories. The $7.5M will go towards engineering and test work, which is expected to create jobs in Canada, while the $8.74M will go towards increasing the production of cobalt.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing additional funding to expand addictions treatment services at Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp. The funding will increase the centre’s capacity from 12 temporary spaces to 15 permanent inpatient addiction treatment spaces and will allow the camp to service 120 patients per year.

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council and the Government of Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance and strengthen the First Nation’s self-determination and governance over management of lands, resources, justice, and other matters affecting the community.

Malahat Battery Technologies Corp, a joint venture between the Malahat Nation and Energy Plug Technologies Corp, is working to build a $100M battery plant on reserve land. Construction is expected to begin at the end of June and complete by October 2025. The joint venture will create up to 200 jobs for the region.

The municipalities of Victoria and Saanich have partnered with Landlord BC and BC Hydro to offer incentives for owners of rental buildings to improve their energy efficiency. Under the Rental Apartment Retrofit Accelerator Program, owners can apply for tax exemptions to make the upgrades which may cover up to 100 per cent of the costs.

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have announced nearly $254M in rebates to convert home heating and cooling systems to energy efficient heat pumps.

Wild + Pine, a developer of nature-based carbon removal assets, has started work on the third phase of its StoneWoods Forest Carbon Project - the largest afforestation project in Western Canada. The work is expected to progress over the summer and into the fall of 2024.

TransAlta Corporation has started operations at its Horizon Hill Wind Project in Oklahoma. The facility is fully contracted to Meta Platforms Inc. for clean electricity from the site.

The N.S Government has announced another $3M for eligible projects later in 2024 under the Clean Fuels Fund. The fund started in 2023-24 with $3M for 7 projects that included Balodis Inc. ($1M), King Freight ($450k), Verschuren Centre ($442k), Net Zero Atlantic ($189,250), Greenspring Bioinnovation ($450k) and more.

St. Mary's Supermarket, which has operated for 20 years on Sitansisk First Nation in Fredericton, will close on June 30. The Cliffe Street supermarket had been losing money and couldn’t compete with the big chain stores, who have better buying power.

The City of Brantford started the Brantford Police Service redevelopment project that will be a three-storey, 127,217-sq.-ft., net-zero carbon build. Construction is expected to take 30 months.

The Université du Québec à Rimouski is investing nearly $7.5M in expanding the aquaculture station at the Institut des sciences de la mer. The governments of Canada and Quebec are contributing $3M each to the project, which should be finished by the fall of 2025.

Montréal-based Écotech Québec, a technology cluster that develops clean technologies, received $8M from the Government of Quebec to carry out various projects related to water treatment

Finkl Steel – Sorel Forge has acquired a new press, which cost approximately $15M, for the Saint-Joseph-de-Sorel plant. The press will help to improve its productivity and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Ausime Énergie, a renewable energy producer, received $15M in provincial funding to build a bioenergetics complex in Hébertville in September. The $47M investment will create 70 jobs in construction and 20 jobs in production.

Evolugen, a renewable energy company with a head office in Gatineau, is laying off 25 employees from its headquarters

The Association québécoise de récupération des contenants de boissons will invest approximately $200M in opening 200 returnable container collection sites throughout Quebec by March 2025

The Northwest Territories government is rerouting some barge shipments planned for Hay River to Tuktoyaktuk. Low water levels on the Mackenzie River due to extreme drought conditions cannot support some cargo barges. Communities north of Norman Wells will have to go to Tuktoyaktuk for their cargo.

Canada Energy Regulator approved the Inuvialuit Energy Security Project Ltd. application to install and operate a natural gas plant and transport compressed natural gas and other fuels. The energy plant is estimated to provide 25 direct and 50 indirect permanent full-time jobs, and contract work for 50 years. Priority will be given to local workers and businesses.

the Government of Canada is providing $27.7M to add more childcare spaces in the province through the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund. The money will support new daycare spaces in regulated and non-profit childcare centres over the next four years.

The Government of Canada is providing $3M to the Toba Centre for Youth and Children, a child advocacy centre in Winnipeg. The centre, which supports children affected by abuse or violence, will use the funding toward repairs, upgrades, and improvements to energy efficiency.

The City of Edmonton will provide up to $20M in up-front financing for energy retrofits to about 300 homes and 16 commercial buildings over four years. The program includes insulation upgrades, heat pumps and solar panels, for example. Loans will be paid back through the owner’s property tax account over as many as 20 years.

New Jersey Natural Gas has installed two CarbinX carbon dioxide capture systems, from Calgary-based CleanO2, at its Wall, N.J. headquarters.

Emissions Reduction Alberta has launched its 2024 Industrial Transformation Challenge, a $50M funding competition for technologies that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the economic competitiveness of Alberta’s industrial and natural resource sectors.

The Government of Canada has announced the opening of a $25M state-of-the-art ocean federal research facility on the campus of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth. The Facility for Intelligent Marine Systems can accommodate 45-50 federal researchers and employees from various departments.

Combined Federal, Provincial and Municpal Government funding of $840,000 has been announced for a new public transit system for Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Funding will go towards the purchase of an electric bus, two charging stations, new bus stops and shelters, signage and a transit software application.

Italpasta Ltd., a pasta manufacturer in Brampton, received over $1.7M from the federal government to enhance production. The project created 10 skilled jobs and reduced the company’s energy consumption and carbon footprint by 20 percent.

Ford Motor Company of Canada delayed the launch of its electric vehicle production to 2027, causing layoffs in its Oakville manufacturing plant

The Government of Ontario is investing $9.5M to support projects in the transportation and heating and cooling sectors to make the province's electricity system more efficient

Thermon Group Holdings, an industrial process heating provider, finished upgrades to its plants in Orillia and Oakville. The enhancements will allow for technologies enabling the electrification and decarbonization of process heating systems.

The Government of Ontario is providing $3.1M to help build eight supportive housing units in Pembroke and $5M to help create an energy efficient three-storey building with 43 one-bedroom units in downtown Hamilton

Construction on the $750M, Skyview 2 Battery Energy Storage System facility in Edwardsburgh-Cardinal, near Brockville, will begin in 2026

The Stanstead Arts Centre will invest at least $4M in the Théâtre sans frontières to renovate the building, which will include modernizing the auditorium with 320 seats. The Government of Canada is contributing $2.1M.

Énergir chaleur et climatisation urbaines (ÉCCU), an Énergir subsidiary that distributes thermal energy, is receiving nearly $10M from the Government of Quebec for a project to help reduce greenhouse gases in Montréal

The Ville de Montréal could invest up to $40M in planting trees in the east end of the city. The Government of Canada will invest $27M in the project, which is enough to plant 230,000 trees and 57,000 shrubs.

The Université de Sherbrooke inaugurated the Complexe de recherche en sciences végétales et environnementales following an $11M investment. The Government of Quebec and the Canada Foundation for Innovation are investing $4.8M each in the project.

SaskPower is allocating $1.6B to support the modernization and decarbonization of the provincial electricity system. The company will also commission the Great Plains Power Station in operating a battery energy storage system and adding to renewable energy capacity.

The federal and provincial governments are providing $1.3M to three northeast Saskatchewan communities. The funding is part of the province’s green infrastructure initiative and will aid in decommissioning landfills and reclaiming land for future use.

Winnipeg Transit is planning to contract an Alberta company to design and build a hydrogen-generation station for its new zero-emission buses. The $9M project will generate hydrogen using methanol, which is already in use in the city for sewage-treatment processes.

A new, 103-room, 6-storey Marriott hotel has had its rezoning application approved in Langford. The hotel is estimated to create between 30-40 jobs.

BC Transit will be purchasing 66 new electric buses and installing 134 electric bus charging points over the next two years. The charging ports will be installed in Chilliwack, Kamloops, Kelowna, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Victoria, and Whistler. The funding comes from a joint federal and provincial package of $395.5m announced in July 2023.

The Government of Alberta is providing $19M through Budget 2024 for the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program to update irrigation infrastructure. The funding could be used to convert canals to pipelines along with other efficiency improvements.

Red Deer-based Azolla Hydrogen is set to be awarded a $9M contract from Winnipeg Transit to design, build and install hydrogen generation equipment using methanol. The hydrogen will power new zero-emission buses.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders has received a clean technology grant from the Alberta Innovates Hydrogen Centre of Excellence to support the development of a new Type 4, 700 bar hydrogen cylinder at its Calgary facility.

Maple Leaf Green World Inc. is partnering with the Town of Coronation to develop a 12MW DC solar farm on a parcel of marginal land owned by the Town. Construction is expected to begin in Q4 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation is providing $361.5M to support biomanufacturing research across five hubs in Canada including the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Avenue Living is renovating and upgrading the SunRise building in downtown Edmonton with the help of a new program from the Bank of Montreal. The $28M project is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

Capital Power Corp. has cancelled its proposed $2.4B carbon capture and storage project at its Genesee Generating Station west of Edmonton. The company says it has decided the project is technically viable but not economically feasible at this time.

J.D. Irving is proposing to build a 58-turbine wind farm near Juniper, N.B. The Brighton Mountain wind farm will require regulatory approval, but hopes to break ground in 2025 and would employ 200 workers during construction and create 20 permanent jobs.

The provincial government is investing $1.5M into the Summer Company entrepreneurship program to support an additional 250 youths in starting a business, bringing the total investment to more than $4.7M over two years

Electronic Distributors International Inc. announced the expansion of its battery sorting facility in Orillia

The provincial government is investing $1.2M to help create six supportive housing units in Whitby

The provincial government will open a Youth Wellness Hub in Port Hope in 2025, which will provide free mental health, substance use and primary care services

Chiasson-Thomas, a land surveying and geomatics company, invested nearly $2M in creating a work site in Saguenay to consolidate its branches there

Nova Bus, a bus manufacturer based in Saint-Eustache and Saint-François-du-Lac, is receiving a $19.1M loan from the provincial government to support the electrification of its vehicles and to secure jobs in the context of growing demand

Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer and dealer, laid off 39 employees at its dealerships in Montréal and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville

Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer and dealer, laid off 39 employees at its dealerships in Montréal and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville

AtkinsRéalis, an international engineering firm, expects to fill many positions at its Montréal office over the coming years. The company has 40,000 employees globally, including 4,700 in Canada.

Éocycle Technologies, a Montréal-based company specializing in wind turbine manufacturing, received $25M in funding from the governments of Quebec and Canada and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ to improve its production capacity

Rayonier Advanced Materials, a company operating in the forestry industry, will temporarily lay off 275 employees at its Témiscaming plant on July 2, following the closure of its high-purity cellulose production line

Granules LG, a wood pellet manufacturer in Saint-Félicien, has undertaken a project worth over $3M to improve its facilities to increase production volume and offer favourable working conditions to existing staff

Nova Bus, a bus manufacturer based in Saint-Eustache and Saint-François-du-Lac, is receiving a $19.1M loan from the provincial government to support the electrification of its vehicles and to secure jobs in the context of growing demand

The Société de transport de l’Outaouais, a municipal public transportation service, is looking to hire 30 bus drivers, 2 asset maintenance staff, and 20 white-collar workers

The Société de transport de Sherbrooke, a municipal public transportation service, is looking to hire 15 bus drivers and 6 people in asset maintenance

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Carbon Alpha are partnering to support the North Star Project in capturing and removing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The partnership is expected to start in 2027 and will create over 120 construction jobs and 12 permanent jobs.

Ulchatko Energy Corporation, the energy management corporation of Ulchatko First Nation, has signed a 20 year purchase agreement with B.C. Hydro to sell energy created from their planned solar farm. The $30m project will receive $16m in provincial and federal funding and will reduce the community's reliance on diesel by approximately 3,300 tonnes of GHG emissions per year. Construction is slated to begin by August and be operational by October 2025.

The Government of B.C., the Capital Region District, and the City of Victoria have jointly provided $8.7m in funding to construct and install 576 Level 2 and 20 direct-current fast-charging ports for electric vehicles, spread out across 80 locations. The City of Victoria will manage 424 of the Level 2 ports, as well as the 20 direct-current fast-charging ports.

The Government of Alberta is committing $750,000 to conduct a feasibility study to advance the province as a global hub for geothermal technologies in partnership with Calgary-based Eavor Technologies and other stakeholders.

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Carbon Alpha are partnering to develop the North Star Project, a carbon dioxide removal project near Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. If fully sanctioned, the project is expected to create up to 125 construction jobs and 12 permanent jobs once operational in mid-2027.

The Government of Alberta, through Alberta Innovates, is providing $1.2M to the University of Alberta for laboratory and mathematical analyses as part of a collaborative project with Vortex Energy Corp. and Keyera Corporation. The project will develop parameters for hydrogen storage in the salt caverns proposed to be developed at the Robinsons River Salt Project in Newfoundland.

The federal government is providing over $678,000 for energy efficiency upgrades to the Social Development Centre in Alexander First Nation. The work includes expansion of the current solar energy system, and HVAC and electrical upgrades along with other projects.

The Government of Alberta has launched the $6M Community Energy Conservation Program which will fund energy-efficient upgrades to municipally owned buildings. The program will provide up to $500,000 per municipality, including community-related organizations.

Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. has submitted a full environmental permit application to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for approval to construct its Carseland Project under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Cielo expects first commercial production from the facility in 2026.

Canada's biofuel industry is welcoming $1.27B in proposed federal funding to help build new biofuel facilities, better compete with U.S. subsidies and reduce dependence on U.S. imports. There is currently $10B worth of operational or biofuel facilities being built in Canada.

Employment is changing as NL moves toward non-carbon-based energy production. The green energy sector is growing rapidly with resources like wind, solar and hydro as critical components and, as demand increases, there will also be an increasing demand for workers with the knowledge and skills needed in the sector.

Canada's biofuel industry is welcoming $1.27B in proposed federal funding to help build new biofuel facilities, better compete with U.S. subsidies and reduce dependence on U.S. imports. There is currently $10B worth of operational or biofuel facilities being built in Canada.

Canada's biofuel industry is welcoming $1.27B in proposed federal funding to help build new biofuel facilities, better compete with U.S. subsidies and reduce dependence on U.S. imports. There is currently $10B worth of operational or biofuel facilities being built in Canada.

Énercycle, which specializes in waste management, awarded a contract to Therrien Entrepreneur Général in Trois-Rivières to build an administrative centre in Saint-Étienne-des-Grès. The $8.2M project should be finished towards the end of the year.

FNX-Innov, an engineering firm, reached an agreement with the Ville de Québec to build a facility for recycling construction waste and processing contaminated materials. The implementation of the project is estimated at over $12M.

Collège Saint-Charles-Garnier, a secondary school in Québec, is investing more than $5M in the construction of a building for sports activities. Construction will begin in June, and the project will be delivered in the fall of 2025.

Casino Mining Corp. plans to allocate proceeds from a recent $40M financing towards permitting and engineering to advance the mining project in the Yukon. The financing came through issuing over 21B common shares. The Casino project is undergoing environmental assessment.

The federal governments’ 2024-2025 fiscal budget includes $5B in loan guarantees for Indigenous communities looking to develop natural resource and energy products. The 2024/25 budget also includes $918M for Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, $89M to improve road access, $175M for First Nations emergency management, $467M for First Nations and Inuit-led policing.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $42M to support over 60 key water infrastructure projects through the Water Security Agency. The projects will focus on developing sustainable and reliable water supplies throughout the province.

The Government of British Columbia is committing $55.5M to plant 50 million trees in 2024. Natural Resources Canada is also contributing $19.5M to the efforts as part of the Forest Ministry’s reforestation program. More than 10 billion trees have been planted since the program began in 1930.

The Alberta Utilities Commission has conditionally approved Alderson Solar, a 100 megawatt solar project by HEP North America near Suffield. Construction plans for the project are expected to be filed in August 2024.

US-based Air Products is planning to build a network of permanent, commercial-scale hydrogen refueling stations along Highway 2 from Edmonton to Calgary. The stations will be equipped to serve heavy-duty vehicles, such as commercial and municipal trucks and buses, as well light-duty hydrogen fuel cell cars. Each station will be able to fuel up to 200 heavy-duty trucks or 2,000 cars per day.

The Government of Alberta, through Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reductions Alberta, is providing $57M for 28 projects to advance new hydrogen technologies and create up to 720 jobs. The project scopes cover hydrogen production, storage, transmission, distribution, and usage.

Imperial Oil expects to open a $720M renewable diesel facility, currently under construction, in Strathcona County in 2025. The Government of Alberta has granted Imperial conditional approval for a tax credit estimated at about $70M under the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program.

The Government of Alberta is providing $500,000 to the University of Lethbridge towards eight environmental research projects focused on water storage in lakes, species at risk and other concerns in southern Alberta.

Iqbal Foods Inc., a grocery store chain, closed its Thorncliffe Park location in Toronto

The Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association created 10 jobs in Granby after it opened the first return centre for redeemable containers in Quebec named Consignaction+

Les Miels du Lac, a honey producer in Saint-Prime, invested over $3M in creating and acquiring infrastructure for its beekeeping activities. The project, which began in the spring of 2023, will be complete in the fall of 2024.

Rio Tinto is receiving over $2M in funding from the Government of Quebec for an equipment automation project related to unloading alumina at its Port-Alfred facilities

The Ville de Gatineau is investing $31.2M in decontaminating heritage buildings in the Fonderie district

The Government of British Columbia has updated the BC Building Code to expand the use of mass timber. Under the revised code, mass timber will be allowed in taller buildings as well as schools, libraries, and shopping centres. The provincial government hopes that these changes will support opportunities to develop housing projects faster and with less of a carbon footprint.

Pembina Pipelines Corporation is building a small solar power system in Empress.

Hempalta Corp. has acquired a controlling interest in Hemp Carbon Standard Inc.

Eguana Technologies Inc. is developing multiple virtual power plant pilot programs with utilities in Canada and the United States.

Atco EnPower is planning a new wind farm near Castor.

SolarBank Corporation has started construction of a rooftop solar project for Fiera Real Estate.

Mizuho Bank, Ltd. has invested in Bison Low Carbon Ventures Inc.

Cleantek Industries Inc. is expanding its product and services lines.

TrustBIX Inc. has sold indoor farming technology and associated services.

Acceleware Ltd. has been awarded Phase 2 of a potash ore drying project by the International Minerals Innovation Institute.

Heidelberg Materials North America has awarded a contract to MHI-LCSC and Kiewit.

Peace Energy Cooperative is starting construction a solar farm in fall 2024.

Tacoma Family Medicine (Dartmouth) has closed its walk-in clinic as of April 14, 2024 citing that they could no longer keep up with the increasing demand. The family practice will continue, but they will not be accepting any new patients, and at least 2 administrative workers will be laid off.

Alberta-based energy company, Pieridae Energy, is hoping to sell the permit from its abandoned Goldboro LNG plant on the Eastern Shore to the Simply Blue Group, a sustainable ocean-energy developer in Ireland. The sale could breathe new life into 108 hectares of undeveloped coastal industrial land.

Fredericton Transit has announced that it will start Sunday bus service on June 23 and has hired six new transit operators as a result. The Sunday route will travel from a new transit hub on Maple Street, which will be constructed this summer.

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury broke ground on their $13M wastewater facility expansion, set to be operational by the end of 2025

Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. was awarded a $270M tender from the Town of Collingwood for the Raymond A. Barker water treatment plant expansion project, which is expected to be completed in 2031

At its activity centre in Roberval, the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) created 20 additional positions: 18 new forest firefighters, who will join the 24 currently on duty, and 2 support staff

The Government of Quebec announced a $19M grant to 31 businesses in Mauricie to support the development of several tourism projects in the region

The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières is investing $54M in building a research and innovation pavilion for green and sustainable technologies in Trois-Rivières. The project will be carried out by Entreprises Christian Arbour, a contractor from Joliette. The project is scheduled to be complete in the winter of 2026.

The Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) is looking to fill 80 forest firefighter positions, including 50 to work this year and 30 firefighters who will be hired in 2025

Within the next 2 years, the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) intends to fill the following positions: 16 protection agent jobs, 43 operational positions, and 20 administrative jobs

The Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) is looking to fill 10 out of a total of 40 airtanker pilot positions, which are required to maintain water bomber operations

The Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) is looking to fill 160 positions after receiving an additional budget of $29M over a period of 5 years, which includes $7M for this year

Groupe Autocar Jeannois, a school and charter transportation company in Alma, is investing over $6M in building a new facility to bring its administration, mechanical, and bus electrification operations together

The Wekweètì winter road is expected was closed on April 6, the earliest road closure on record and the Gamètì? winter road is expected to close soon. The road opened on March 22, providing an operational period of two weeks. Usually, the road is open for a month. Several NWT communities are fly-in only at other times of the year and use the winter roads to bring in up to a years’ worth of supplies.

The federal government and State of Alaska signed an agreement to stop commercial and recreational fishing of chinook salmon to support the Yukon River chinook salmon run recovery. The number of chinook salmon returning to the Yukon River to spawn has dropped significantly over the last few years. Up to 95% of the migrating species are caught by commercial fisheries.

Natural Resources Canada project that expenditures spent on mining exploration in 2024 will increase in the NWT and Nunavut and decrease in the Yukon. The NWT will see a 27% increase to $143.7M, Nunavut will see a 23% increase to $267.7M, and the Yukon will see a 10% drop to $141.1M. In Nunavut, almost $450M is projected for mine complex development, while only $17M is forecasted for NWT.

The Dettah ice road between Yellowknife and Dettah closed April 9 due to warmer weather and run-off water. The Dettah ice road opened over a month later and closed a week earlier than the 20-year average. The all-season road around Yellowknife Bay remains available.

Genesis Fertilizers and thyssenkrupp Uhde are working on a conceptual design study to develop a reduced-emission fertilizer plant near Belle Plaine. The plant will be designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by exploring renewable-based hydrogen, electricity options, and carbon capture.

Manitoba’s 2024 Budget includes a new incentive for electric vehicle purchases within the province. The $5.4M program offers $4,000 for new vehicles and $2,500 for pre-owned.

North Pacific Kelp Wild Foods Inc., a food processing company located on Haida Gwaii, is applying freeze drying technologies to their sustainable seafood and agri-food products. These process upgrades are thanks in part to an over $20K Northern Industries Innovation Fund grant.

Crux Operations Control Management Limited has received $1.5M from Emissions Reduction Alberta for software development.

The Tilley Solar Project is expected to create more than 280 full-time jobs at peak construction.

Target Pest Control is expanding its pest control services for property owners.

Emissions Reduction Alberta is contributing funds to numerous energy storage related projects.

Asinikahtamwak LP Ltd. is starting to manufacture hemcrete blocks in Elk Point during April.

Provincial Energy Ventures in Sydney Harbour, is being renamed the Atlantic Canada Bulk Terminal and will offer marshalling services for huge steel parts for offshore wind turbines. The pier will still deal in coal, but is transitioning to new energy forms.

World Energy GH2’s Wind-energy project has passed the environmental assessment by the N.L. Government, clearing another step to build Canada's first wind-to-hydrogen project. It will use wind power from 300 turbines on N.L.’s west coast to turn into hydrogen and transfer into ammonia for shipping.

The N.L. Government has issued a ride-sharing service licence to Uber, who is now reaching out to potential drivers and expect to start the service in the spring. Legislative amendments to allow ride-sharing services came into effect on December 21, 2023.

The provincial government is investing more than $5M to support six new interprofessional primary care teams across Thunder Bay, Kenora, Fort Frances, and Sioux Lookout

The federal government is contributing $714,500 to Fortune Minerals Limited to support its critical minerals projects. Fortune Minerals has a planned mine in the NWT which produces cobalt sulphate and bismuth ingot products. Once complete, the project may promote jobs for skilled trades and professional occupations. Critical mineral mining supports batteries for clean technology and energies.

White Cliff Minerals dataset digitisation work has concluded that there are multiple high-grade uranium and copper targets at its Radium Point exploration project in the NWT. White Cliff is ready to begin its field season at the project with hopes of drilling this year.

The federal government has provided $15M to 27 Indigenous governments and organizations impacted by wildfires in the NWT last year. The money will go towards reimbursing expenses not covered under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.

Charge Solar, a leading supplier of solar and battery storage systems, has opened a newly expanded facility in Edmonton to better serve its customers.

ECO Canada, a workforce and training organization for environmental professionals, has released a report detailing the skills and roles required for the green economy in Alberta and BC.

X-Energy Reactor Company and TransAlta Corporation are partnering to study the feasability of deploying a small modular nuclear reactor in Alberta. The study will be supported with funding from Emission Reduction Alberta.

Cielo Waste Solutions Corp., a renewable fuel company, is utilizing its research and development facility in Aldersyde to advance towards commercialization of its processes over the next two years.

The Government of Alberta is investing $33.7M in 13 projects through Emissions Reduction Alberta. The projects are expanding Alberta’s hydrogen fueling station infrastructure, using Artificial Intelligence to predict power line failures, and other issues.

Alberta’s first commercial hydrogen fueling station is now open along Highway 2 in Leduc County.

Capital Power has signed a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Saputo Inc., a leading dairy processor. The agreement pertains to Capital Power's Halkirk 2 Wind facility currently under construction.

Halifax councillors have finalized this year's budget, which will see 15 new firefighters for Hammonds Plains and six new RCMP officers for the Halifax area.

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine is developing a tool to assist pork production companies in making business decisions related to animal welfare and sustainability goals. The tool will be validated and tested later in 2024 and the final product will be available by early 2025.

The federal, provincial, and municipal governments are providing $45M to fund green infrastructure projects throughout Saskatchewan. The projects will focus on increasing drinking water supplies, effective wastewater treatment, and ensuring the soil and groundwater remain uncontaminated.

Saskatchewan's 2024-25 Budget is providing $140M to the Ministry of Environment. The funding will support clean electricity projects and the conservation and development of Crown resource land.

The federal government is providing $1.1M to Hay River for a flood protection project. The project includes enhancing an existing berm and repairing and protecting the Alaska Road. Per dollar invested, the project will save $4.67 dollars. In 2022, $174M was spent on flood response, recovery and mitigation in Hay River and Kát?’odeeche First Nation.

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network is providing $732,353 for a honeybee project involving Busy Bee Farm of Hay Lakes valued in total at approximately $2.3M.

Concord Green Energy has awarded a contract to Polar Racking Inc. to supply its equipment for a 38-MW solar project near Tilley.

Imperial Oil Ltd. is ceasing operations for three months on its pipeline running between Gretna and Winnipeg terminal to conduct repairs. Gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel provided by Imperial Oil in Winnipeg are currently unavailable. The Manitoba government will provide a table of alternative fuel suppliers in the meantime.

The Province of Manitoba is providing $3.3M to NiCan Ltd. towards development projects. NiCan is conducting nickel mining exploration near Snow Lake, within the Grass River Provincial Park. The Wilderness Committee is concerned about impacting caribou living in the region, creating contentions between development and environmental health.

White Bear Films, an Ojibway production company based in Winnipeg, is filming a re-imagining of the 1984 film Once Were Warriors. The project, titled Many Wounds, tells the story of a young indigenous man living in Winnipeg’s North End Neighbourhood, and is slated for completion this spring.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation, a northern Manitoba First Nation located approximately 550 km from Winnipeg, declared a state of emergency on March 8 in response to a nursing shortage. Only 4 of 13 nursing positions were staffed. The band has a population of more than 9,000 people, including more than 6,000 living on-reserve.

The Yukon government is preparing for the 2024 wildfire season, starting with funding from the 2024-2025 territorial budget. This year, there will be 24 wildfire crews, 75 initial-attack firefighters, and 40 staff managing crews and aircraft across the territory.

The Giant Mine Remediation project in the NWT has not yet reached its northern or Indigenous employment targets despite providing hundreds of jobs. From 2022 to 2023, the Indigenous employment target of 25% to 35% was not met, with only 18% Indigenous employment achieved. From 2022 to 2023, a northern employment target of 55-70% also fell short with only 36% northern employment achieved.

The federal government is providing $105,681 to two Whitehorse-based food businesses: Yukon Provisions and Sunrise Nutrition. The money will go towards expanding production, rebranding, and scaling up distribution to new markets with expectations to create employment opportunities.

The federal government approved the Inuvialuit Energy Security Project Energy Centre in the Inuvialuit region, NWT. The energy centre will convert natural gas into fuel to be used for heating and power, reducing local reliance on imported fuel, including diesel. The energy centre will also provide local employment opportunities.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has closed one of its locations in Toronto

The federal government is providing $1.6M to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to develop a green assessment program for small and medium-sized businesses. The program will help 60 businesses increase their capacity to produce and export green products and services.

The federal and provincial governments are investing $60 million to upgrade the Hudson Bay Railway and redevelop the Port of Churchill. The Arctic Gateway Group, a partnership of 41 First Nation and Bayline communities, will utilize the funds for capital investments in repairing and maintaining the rail line. This project is anticipated to generate 60 to 70 jobs in Northern Manitoba.

The wildfire season in the Northwest Territories is expected to begin earlier than usual this year. Fire officials plan to bring in staff and resources sooner to assess and smother the holdover fires currently burning underground.

The Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in governments jointly conducted a damage assessment of the 2023 flooding at Ch'ëdähdëk Forty Mile Historic Site. Following the assessment, a Request for Proposals has been issued to design a conservation plan, explore building repair options, and seek input to mitigate possible future flooding.

The Government of B.C. has provided funding through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund to T'Souke Nation ($492,910), Pacheedaht First Nation ($149,961), and Malahat First Nation ($149,646). The funding supports innovative clean energy development, heat pump installation, and community engagement.

The Government of B.C. has provided funding through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund to Uchucklesaht Tribe ($499,140) and Ahousaht First Nation ($50,000). The funding supports innovative clean energy development and community energy plans.

The Government of Canada is contributing $1.3M toward accessibility and environmental upgrades at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, located in Winnipeg. Renovations include washroom modifications, lighting and HVAC updates, and replacing the roof and windows.

The federal government is providing $2.9M to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation for upgrades to its Dakota Oyate Elder Care Lodge. The installation of solar panels and a new heating system will improve the facility’s energy efficiency. Some renovations are also geared toward making the nursing station more accessible.

The provincial government will not issue an environmental license for Sio Silica's proposed sand extraction project in southeastern Manitoba. The Calgary-based company had planned to drill up to 7,700 wells in the area over a period of 24 years, but the Province rejected the proposal due to environmental risks.

The federal government is providing $99,999 to Diamonds de Canada Ltd. for purchasing a laser diamond cutting machine to boost the Northwest Territories' local diamond manufacturing industry. Purchasing the cutter will support NWT businesses in producing finished diamonds from raw diamonds mined in the territory, rather than shipping raw diamonds out of the territory to be finished.

The Province of Alberta’s moratorium on approving wind and solar power projects is lifting at the end of February after nearly seven months. The end of the moratorium will follow the Alberta Utilities Commission’s inquiry on land use and reclamation of renewables projects. When completed, the inquiry will report to the government on how to develop renewable power in the province.

EPD Renewables’ $600M wind farm has begun full operations 180 km north of Medicine Hat. The wind farm includes 67 turbines across 60K acres of land. At full capacity, the wind farm will generate 297 megawatts. The construction of the turbines employed 400 people and its operations will continue to employ 10 full-time staff.

The Alberta Investment Management Corp. (AIMCo) has set up a $1B fund dedicated to investing in the global energy transition and decarbonization sectors. AIMCo invests on behalf of pension, endowment, insurance and government funds in Alberta and manages more than $158B in assets.

Enerkem Inc. is shutting down production at its Enerkem Alberta Biofuels plant in northeast Edmonton. The facility began operating in 2010 and had a 25-year agreement with the city to turn non-recyclable municipal waste into ethanol for fuel. The facility employed 56 people and was intended to demonstrate refuse-derived fuel technology at a commercial scale.

The Government of Alberta has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Colorado regarding energy and carbon management. Under the memorandum, the two governments will align and improve their regulations, increase their information sharing in key energy and environmental areas, and enhance their collaboration.

The Yukon government is opening a warming centre from March 18 to May 1 this year in downtown Whitehorse at the Jim Smith Building. The centre will be staffed with two onsite workers and one outreach worker for community support and wellbeing.

The Yukon government is raising the territory's minimum wage from $16.77 to $17.59, effective April 1. The 2023 Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse determined the 4.9% wage increase. The increase is an effort to support lowest-paid workers keep up with the cost of living.

According to a Northwest Territories government’s flood after action review report, the 2021 flood season resulted in an estimated $40M in damages across six communities. Approximately 100 homes, 30 businesses, six non-government organizations and community infrastructure were damaged. Hundreds of residents from impacted communities were evacuated. The report also identified a need for job-specific training in emergency management.

The federal government and City of Whitehorse are providing over $4.5M and about $2.47M, respectively, to upgrade the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse. The pool area’s HVAC and insulation will be upgraded.

The Government of Manitoba is adding 36 acute care beds at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, an effort to reduce wait times and emergency room overcrowding. The first ten beds will open in March and the remainder should be operational within a year.

The federal government has pledged $27M towards new housing in Nunavut, with $8.9M of the funding designated for Iqaluit. It is estimated that about 450 homes will be built across 22 communities in the territory over the next three years. The funding is also expected to help Nunavut to meet its target of building 3,000 homes by the end of the decade.

A plan to build a $63M fuel tank farm project in Arviat was struck down due to environmental concerns with the proposed site location. Nunavut’s Community and Government Services department will consult with Arviat a second time between Jan 29 and Feb 2. Final recommendations will be offered this fall.

The federal government, through PrairiesCan, is providing a $10M interest-free loan to Winnipeg bus manufacturer NFI Group. The money is earmarked for building zero-emission buses and motor coaches and upgrading the company’s production facilities. NFI Group currently employs 2,800 people in Winnipeg.

The Yukon government released 42 new climate strategy actions to be implemented by 2030. The actions address various areas including energy, transportation, buildings, and communities. The strategy supports the Yukon’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase access to reliable affordable and renewable energy, ensure climate change impact adaptation, and transition to a green economy.

CanNor is providing an additional $3M to northern Indigenous organizations in support of four projects working towards improving northern food security. The money will go towards procuring equipment, preparing facility sites, procuring project management and professional services, and completing building designs.

The Town of Inuvik in NWT has awarded a contract to Whitehorse-based energy company, Solvest, to build a solar farm at the Midnight Sun Complex. The federal government has pledged $5.6M in 2022 towards the project.

The City of Iqaluit is considering wind energy as an option to transition away from its reliance on fossil fuels. Qikiqtaaluk Corp. and Nunavut Nukkasarvut Corp are consulting communities in Iqaluit on possible hydro, solar and wind projects. Survey work on renewable energy projects could potentially begin next summer.

The Government of Canada is providing $3.1M to six active transportation projects in rural and Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan. The funding will be used to build and maintain pathways and bike lanes in communities.

Nunavik Eastern Arctic Shipping Inc. (NEAS) is investigating a gradual shift away from fossil fuel to renewable energies such as ethanol, ammonia, or hydrogen. NEAS will continue operations to ensure northern communities are served during a transition.

The Yukon government plans to conduct a study on the impacts of adding new energy into Yukon’s main power grid. This resulted in pausing a micro-generation rebate program until May 2024 at the earliest. Residents with renewable energy systems at home will be eligible for a rebate on surplus energy.

The Fort Simpson ice river crossing is not solid enough yet for vehicles to cross. The crossing is usually open to vehicles by November 29. Community members have had to cross by helicopter, fly to another community via airplane, or cross by snowmobile.

Pond Inlet still has open water a month after it is usually frozen and can be used for hunting and fishing. Hunters have had to travel on land instead of the ice, making hunting more difficult.

The Government of Saskatchewan has created a $25M Technology Fund to support industry projects that reduce, sequester or capture greenhouse gas emissions.

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan provided over $13.5M in combined funding to nine infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan. These projects include a new cultural centres, wastewater treatment upgrades, and other renovations.

SaskEnergy and SaskPower are launching a new home retrofit rebate to help residents improve their home’s efficiency. The Home Efficiency Retrofit Rebate offers up to $1.8K on top of other applicable grants towards insulation, air-sealing, windows and doors.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing the Town of Coronach and the Rural Municipality of Hart Butte with $550K of funding to help their economies transition from coal. The funds will advance research into char production and utilization.

Toronto-based Porter Airlines is expanding its business in Winnipeg by adding a daily flight to Ottawa, just a few months after first establishing itself at Winnipeg’s airport.

The Manitoba Métis Federation has created a new business association and economic development corporation intended to support Métis entrepreneurs across Canada. The new organizations will host networking events, advocate for the Métis business community, and provide financial support and other services.

The Misericordia Provincial Eye Care Centre of Excellence has opened two specialized eye care clinics in Winnipeg. The new clinics, one of which is specifically for children, will allow the centre to treat about 7,000 more patients per year.

The Arctic Gateway Group spent about $40M on repairs to the Hudson Bay Railway this year, expediting train travel between Thompson and Churchill. Work is now completed for the season, but similar spending is planned for next year.

The Good Will Social Club, a bar and music venue near Winnipeg’s downtown, will be closing permanently in February 2024. The owners say rising operating costs and the effects of the pandemic contributed to the decision to close the business.

Educational assistants in southeastern Manitoba have voted to accept a new contract, ending a weeks-long strike in the Hanover School Division. The new collective agreement includes a wage increase of 6.3% and education premium increases of 42% over four years.

Assiniboine Community College is offering a part-time Childcare Assistant course in Birtle, beginning in January 2024. The course is a requirement for child care assistants and licensed home-based child care providers in Manitoba.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing the Saskatchewan Research Council with $80M to build a demonstration microreactor in the province. The reactor is expected to be operational by 2029 and create economic development opportunities and jobs.

Calgary-based CEMATRIX Corporation, a manufacturer and supplier of technologically advanced cellular concrete products, has booked $6.5M in new contracts.