TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. General Information
2. Programs and Services
3. Financing
4. Regulations
5. Taxation
6. Other Resources

1. General Information

Canadian business and industry are the backbone of our economy and fundamental to our quality of life. However, as they create new economic opportunities, new markets and new jobs, environmental issues increasingly become a part of business operations, and as a result new ways of doing business with the environment in mind are emerging. This guide covers some of the resources available to your business with environmental concerns in mind.

For regulatory or legal questions, it may be useful to contact a lawyer that deals with business regulations through the Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service.

For further information:
please call 1-800-268-8326
visit the website: Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service

Working with Industry and Business to Address Climate Change

The Climate Change Plan for Canada outlines the role the key sector of Industry and Business can play to reduce emissions, while continuing to grow and prosper.

The Government of Canada (GoC) will invest millions:

• to help business and industry reduce emissions using available technologies in areas such as the buildings and transportation sector.
• to help develop new technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the longer term, and help industry seize new economic opportunities.

2. Programs and Services

General Information

National Environmental Indicators and State of the Environment Reporting Program - Knowledge Integration Directorate

The Knowledge Integration Directorate, Environment Canada, reports on the state of Canada's environment by showing how human activities affect environmental conditions and trends and impacts on human and ecosystem health.

Under the State of the Environment Reporting Program, the National Indicators and Reporting Office of Knowledge Integration Directorate develops and reports on a national set of environmental indicators that track key environmental issues.

Buildings

The commercial buildings sector is asked to make its buildings more energy efficient and to increase the use of renewable energy. Some GoC investments are thus vehicled through the following programs:

Energy Efficiency Publications - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Numerous publications on topics related to energy efficiency and alternative energy are published by the Office of Energy Efficiency. The publications are aimed at the general public and are free in Canada. The publications that target industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) programs, however, carry a fee.

For further information:
please call 1-800-387-2000 or 613-995-2943
visit the website: Office of Energy Efficiency Publications

Energy Innovators Initiative - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Up to $25 000 for Retrofit Planning

Commercial or institutional organizations with annual energy bills of $100 000 or more could qualify for up to 50% of eligible costs for energy audits, feasibility studies, energy management plans and other project development measures.

Up to $250 000 for Retrofit Projects

Commercial or institutional organizations could qualify for up to 25% of eligible costs - based on projected energy savings - for project development and management, lighting, heating, controls, monitoring, training and other energy-saving measures.

For further information:
please call 1-877-360-5500
visit the website: Energy Innovators Initiative

Transportation

The transportation sector is being asked to make greater use of renewable and alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The commercial transportation sector is also being asked to adopt other emission reduction technologies and improve fleet management techniques. Following are some programs that can help the transportation sector achieve this goal:

Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program - Transport Canada (TC)

Up to $250 000 to a maximum of 50% of eligible costs

Private enterprises and non-profit organizations can apply for funding towards demonstration projects in the areas of truck, rail, marine and air freight transportation in Canada. The projects must demonstrate and evaluate innovative, practical and cost-effective technologies and best practices to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption.

For further information:
please call 613-991-1196

Technology and Innovation

To help industry meet climate change targets, as well as lay the foundation for new, cleaner technologies and economic opportunities, the Government of Canada will invest in technology and innovation, including allocations to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) in Budget 2003. Most of this investment will focus on five areas critical to achieving the climate change goals:

• Cleaner Fossil Fuels
  $115 million, including $50 million in funding from SDTC, will be invested in the development and demonstration of cleaner fossil fuel technologies. These technologies allow for greater energy efficiency and environmentally benign production, conversion and combustion. This will result in lower GHG emissions, a greater emphasis on unconventional resources, with a focus on providing a clean, emissions-free development of Canada's fossil fuels.
• Hydrogen Economy
  $130 million, including $50 million through SDTC, will be invested in building knowledge and accelerating the development and commercialization of fuel cells and other technologies in Canada that will form the basis of the emerging hydrogen economy, including technologies to produce hydrogen from renewable energy sources. In addition to promising long-term, sustainable solutions to climate change, the hydrogen economy offers significant opportunity for businesses and communities across Canada. Investments will be available to support public- and private-sector partnerships to develop and demonstrate hydrogen technologies and infrastructure in integrated, real-world settings. Taken together, these investments will build on Canada's first-mover advantage internationally and ensure it remains at the forefront of the transition to the hydrogen economy.
• Advanced End-Use Efficiency Technology
  $40 million will be invested in the development and demonstration of energy-efficient technology that can be used in the industrial, commercial, community and transportation sectors. Examples include advanced industrial process technology, intelligent buildings and community systems management, low-energy lighting systems, low-emissions vehicles and more efficient transportation systems.
• Decentralized Energy
  $30 million will be invested in the development and demonstration of decentralized energy production systems. These systems make more efficient use of locally available energy resources and renewable sources of energy, such as wind, solar and landfill gas. They can be used in residential, commercial and industrial applications and in combined heat and power applications.
• Biofuels
  $30 million will go to support the development and demonstration of bio-based energy systems and technologies. This covers a broad range of technologies, including biomass and waste conversions; cellulosic ethanol from biomass and other biofuels; bio-processes; biomass production, harvesting and transportation; and energy from biomass. These technologies have great potential to reduce the use of fossil fuels. This investment is complemented by our investment in biodiesel technologies.

Clean Energy Fund

The Clean Energy Fund provides $850 million over five years for the demonstration of promising technologies, including large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, and renewable energy and clean energy systems demonstrations.

For further information:
visit the website: Clean Energy Fund

Renewable Energy Technologies Program (RETP) - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Stakeholders in the energy industry, such as manufacturers, developers, consultants, utilities, provincial governments and other federal departments are eligible for the support from the RETP. The RETP helps industry to generate competitive and environmentally responsible alternatives to conventional energy generation. Technologies under development by the RETP include small hydro, active solar energy, wind energy and beanery.

For further information:
visit the website:Canadian Renewable Energy Network

Program for New Environmental Technologies Evaluation (NETE) - Ontario Ministry of Environment

The Program for New Environmental Technologies Evaluation provides an opportunity for the private sector to have new environmental technologies evaluated and assessed by the Ontario Ministry of Environment. Under this program, the ministry will provide a written opinion on the potential of a particular technology's application in Ontario and whether it is likely to satisfy site-specific applications of new technologies.

For further information:
please call 416-327-5519
visit the website: New Environmental Technology Evaluation Program (PDF 46 KB)
see the document: New Environmental Technologies Evaluation Program (Ontario)

Technology Roadmaps - Industry Canada (IC)

Technology Roadmaps identify the new critical technologies, skills and competencies required to meet future market demands. The roadmaps are initiated and supported by the combined strengths of Canadian industry, academic institutions, research organizations and governments.

For further information:
please call 613-954-3040
visit the website:Technology Roadmaps

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) - Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD)

The Foundation is a catalyst for creative, collaborative solutions that deliver positive environmental and economic impacts to Canadians. The Foundation fosters the rapid development, demonstration and pre-commercialization of technological solutions, which address climate change and air quality.

Among other eligibility criteria, proponents must be part of a partnership/consortium composed of a combination of a private sector commercial corporation and one or more of the following:

• a private sector commercial corporation which could be a technology manufacturer, distributor or user;
• a university or college;
• a private sector research institute;
• a non-profit corporation;
• a non-governmental organization;
• a federal or provincial crown corporation (or subsidiary) whose role is the provision of resources and/or facilities to the consortium as a sub-contractor.

For further information:
please call 613-234-6313
visit the website:Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Forests

Large Industrial Emitters

Large industrial emitters (i.e., oil and gas sector, electricity, mining and manufacturing sectors) have been asked to reduce GHG emissions. The sectors are vitally important to Canada's economy and response to climate change. The Government is working closely with the large industrial emitters to help minimize the cost of achieving the objective.

Energy Efficiency Programs - Industrial Sector - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

The purpose is to provide a framework for a voluntary government/industry alliance to help Canada achieve its economic and climate change initiatives through greater energy efficiency in Canada's manufacturing and mining sectors. NRCan administers the following two programs:

Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

The Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) provides a framework mechanism for coordinating the development of energy-efficiency goals, action plans and services for each industrial sector. CIPEC provides:

• technical guidebooks;
• newsletters on the latest energy efficiency information from NRCan and industry;
• networking opportunities with other industrial energy managers.

For further information:
please call 1-800-387-2000

Industrial Energy Innovators (IEI) - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

The initiative recruits and encourages industrial energy users at the corporate level to develop long-term energy-management planning and replication strategies for their companies. IE Innovators have access to a variety of energy efficiency products and services developed by NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE). Innovators are also regularly updated on CIPEC's international technical information network, new technologies, operating practices and the latest "Dollars to $ense" series of energy management workshops. The OEE also offers a good selection of free in-house case studies and reports that outline new money- and energy-saving technologies.

For further information:
please call 1-877-360-5500
visit the website:Business: Industrial

Human Resources

Environmental Youth Corp. - Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry (CCHREI)

Up to $8 000 to $12 000 wage subsidy

EYC supplies companies with:

• a database of hundreds of pre-screened, work-ready young professionals;
• a wage subsidy of up to $8 000 - $12 000 (depending on the length and type of project your company is undertaking).

For further information:
please call 403-233-0748 or 1-800-962-9562
visit the website:ECO Canada

3. Financing

Access to capital is one of the most challenging aspects of business ownership for any entrepreneur, there are a variety of programs and organizations that can help business owners secure start up financing as well as development capital.

• Financing for Starting a Business Info-Guide
• Financing for Established Businesses Info-Guide

4. Regulations

Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch - Ontario Ministry of Environment

As part of the Ontario Ministry of Environment, the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch provides "one-window" service for regulatory environmental approvals for the province.

For further information:
please call 416-314-8001 or 1-800-461-6290
visit these websites:
Business and the Environment
The Ministry of the Environment and Your Business
What to Expect When an Environmental Officer Inspects Your Facility

Environmental Acts and Regulations - website

Environmental Acts, Regulations and Agreements is a gateway to online federal and provincial resources about environmental acts and regulations. As well as summaries, the site provides contact information and links to the full text of the Act or regulation on the Department of Justice's online database.

For further information:
visit the website: Environmental Acts, Regulations and Agreements

Energy Efficiency Regulations - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

A bulletin board of regulations that eliminate inefficient energy-using products from the market to protect Canadian consumers and our environment. For example, regulations that affect dishwashers, water heaters, thermopumps etc.

For further information:
please call 1-800-387-2000
visit the website:Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines - Environment Canada (EC) and Health Canada (HC)

The Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines are provided by the National Guidelines and Standards Office (NGSO), part of Environment Canada. NGSO provides nationally approved, science-based measures of environmental quality including guidelines, standards, and objectives. The primary focus of the group is the development of national guidelines for the quality of the following:

• water (HC);
• sediment;
• soil;
• fish tissue residues.

Guidelines are recommended numerical or narrative limits for a variety of pollutants (organic and inorganic chemicals) or environmental quality characteristics (such as dissolved oxygen or pH), which, if not met, may impair the health of Canadian ecosystems.

For further information:
visit the website: Water Quality and Health

5. Taxation

Dealing with Business Taxes

All businesses must be aware of the various taxes that may apply to their product or service. Depending on the type and location of products or services being offered, federal, provincial and/or municipal business taxes may apply.

For further information:
see the document: Taxation Info-Guide

6. Other Resources

Publications

Understanding Climate Change

A Guide to Climate Change for Small-to Medium-sized Enterprises

Websites of Interest

Canadian Environmental Solutions

An online directory of over 2, 200 Canadian companies that provide expertise to address environmental challenges faced by every sector of the economy.

For further information:
see the document: Canadian Environmental Solutions

Climate.org

David Suzuki Foundation

International Institute for Sustainable Development - Climate

Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement - (OCETA)

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
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DISCLAIMERS

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.