Editorial-December 2017

The last few weeks have seen a number of public funding announcements address climate change by adapting clean technology through research and innovation. At the federal level, there’s $155 million for the natural resources sector, and Alberta and Ontario have announced their own initiatives, with Alberta providing up to $1.4 billion.

This represents the judicious use of taxpayer money to help preserve what every living and breathing Canadian needs – clean air and water on a planet everyone calls home. The funds help the sectors so firms can clean up their processes or operations with little upfront cash of their own. This helps minimize risks for some companies, especially since working with new technologies or processes is sometimes risky.

Given the billions of dollars needed to address some of these climate change challenges, however, the funds that the governments are offering may not be enough. But for some sectors, this kind of seed funding may get them thinking, at least, that they need to act now before it’s too late.

On the part of the Canadian government, it’s gratifying that they’re acting to stimulate sectors to take action. With Canada hosting the powerful G7 Summit next year, these announcements are hopefully a prelude to bigger initiatives or commitments. With eyes focused on Canada, the Trudeau government could be saving the best initiatives for next year. More funds or investments in infrastructure, maybe, or better incentives to get some sectors interested in taking more action?

At the end of the day, Canada is doing this not only for Canadians. After all, we all live in this one planet, and for those who have more, there’s greater responsibility to lead and act fast.

Veronica Silva Cusi, Editor