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Ottawa announces nearly $260,000 in Clean Energy support for Indigenous communities in Ontario

November 10, 2022  By Staff


Today, Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson congratulated the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on its First Nations Energy Symposium that took place on Nov.8-9,  and announced an investment of nearly $260,000 to build community capacity through Indigenous energy champions.

IESO’s Indigenous energy supporting programming includes technical, hands-on training for Community Energy Champions (CECs) who have been hired by Indigenous communities and organizations across Ontario to advance clean energy projects within their community. Natural Resources Canada funding will build on the IESO’s current CEC program to help plan and advance community-driven energy-related priorities.

“Every community deserves to have access to the resources they need to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency and displace fossil fuels. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous communities to build the necessary capacity and acquire the skills and expertise needed to advance clean energy and low-carbon energy solutions. Today’s investment in IESO’s clean energy champions program is a step forward, providing the foundational tools required to achieve community-led clean energy priorities,” says Minister Wilkinson.

The CEC training will integrate initiatives and objectives proposed by the communities and organizations and provide the CECs with foundational knowledge to implement clean energy solutions. The multi-module curriculum will also include demonstrations of home energy audits, establishing an energy baseline, building retrofits, energy generation opportunities, community engagement strategies and developing or updating community energy plans.

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This investment demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting Indigenous leadership and remote communities in Ontario as they develop innovative clean energy solutions to displace fossil fuels, advance self-determination and combat climate change.


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