Harper government’s eco-energy investments power British Columbia First Nations

by Keith Powell — July 18, 2012

The Honourable John Duncan, minister of aboriginal affairs and northern development.

The Honourable John Duncan, minister of aboriginal affairs and northern development, recently announced his support for 16 eco-energy projects in British Columbia First Nation communities.

"Our government is investing in renewable energy projects that will improve the social and economic lives of the B.C. First Nations involved," said minister Duncan. "These projects will not only support the First Nations in their efforts to develop clean energy infrastructure for their communities, they will lead to greater energy self-sufficiency and economic development opportunities."

Minister Duncan made this announcement while visiting Aq'am Community (St. Mary's Indian Band), where plans are underway to install a biomass energy heating system for the new Aq'amnik Elementary School.

The First Nation plans to test the new system in the school and then expand it to include other community buildings. The biomass heating system will help to significantly reduce heating costs in the community.

The federal government is sending $98,000 to the Aq'am Community to install a biomass energy heating system.

"Our community is committing to the development of renewable energy sources for all of our existing and new buildings," said Chief Cheryl Casimer of the Aq'am Community. "We are happy to see that the Government of Canada is making strategic investments in clean energy projects such as ours."

The Harper Government's Eco-energy for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program is providing $20 million in funding support between 2011 and 2016 to aboriginal communities for the planning of renewable energy projects and for the design and implementation of clean energy projects integrated within community buildings. The program contributes to renewable energy projects and energy efficiency efforts and supports opportunities for clean energy development at the community level. A total investment of $1.2 million will support 16 eco-energy projects in First Nations communities in British Columbia.