VICTORIA — Merran Smith, executive director at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to B.C.’s 2021 budget:
“Today’s provincial budget includes a sizable $506 million for B.C.’s existing climate plan, CleanBC, to help solidify the province’s place as a climate innovator.
“Already, B.C. is home to a globally recognized cleantech sector. The $96 million invested in this sector alongside clean industry will help attract new innovators while incentivizing existing businesses to remain in the province—keeping jobs and economic benefits in B.C. for the long-term.
“The budget also designates $130 million for zero-emission vehicles, including key funding for the electrification of transport like school buses and ferries. We also welcome the continuation of B.C.’s electric vehicle rebate program but look forward to seeing how the rebate may be adjusted based on income and expanded to also include used EVs so that more British Columbians can access the benefits of going electric.
“The importance of cleaner, healthier communities is also recognized in the budget, with dollars destined for improving energy efficiency to help buildings waste less energy. Also to this end, the budget supports reducing diesel power use in remote and Indigenous communities through electrification.
“But as countries around the world ratchet up their climate ambitions, climate action and economic action are increasingly one and the same. Canada’s largest trading partners, like the U.S. and the EU, have recognized the huge economic opportunity in transitioning to a net-zero world—as did the federal government’s budget released yesterday. We would have liked to see greater recognition of this net-zero opportunity in B.C.’s economic plan.
“B.C.’s leading cleantech companies and clean electricity grid mean it has a huge competitive advantage, especially with Biden’s new climate-conscious America. The province already produces many of the goods needed for the net-zero transition, from forest products to the metals and minerals required for electric vehicles.
“But B.C.’s climate leadership to date does not guarantee future success. We look forward to seeing how the province will build on this budget and others to ensure it retains B.C.’s competitive edge.”
KEY FACTS
Key climate-related aspects of the budget include:
- $130 million in funding for clean transportation including:
- $94 million for the Go Electric program, which provides rebates on purchasing zero-emission vehicles and charging stations; it also supports the commercialization of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
- $18 million to support active transportation infrastructure like bike lanes, sidewalks, and multi-use pathways.
- A PST exemption on electric bikes.
- $10 million to further develop policy on reducing the carbon intensity of fuel and developing the hydrogen economy here in B.C.
- Funding for industry and cleantech:
- $96 million for the CleanBC Program for Industry, which directs a portion of the carbon price paid by industry to reduce emissions and further expand British Columbia’s competitive cleantech sector. The amount aligns with planned increases to the carbon price.
- $60 million to support the Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy and for cleantech investments to expand partnership opportunities with the federal government. The centre will support the development and commercialization of clean technology in B.C.
- $46 million in funding for energy efficiency in buildings and communities, which includes $34 million to reduce diesel power in remote and Indigenous communities.
RESOURCES
Poll | Most British Columbians are interested in buying an electric vehicle
Poll | British Columbians prefer the province invest in clean energy over LNG
Release | B.C.’s new climate target will help keep province on track, but highlights work to be done
