Dec 13, 2017 SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Federal Data Measures Economic Contribution of Clean Technology in Canada for the First Time

OTTAWA, Dec. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Harnessing the power of data will help us to continue to move toward a clean, low-carbon economy and improve the daily lives of Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, welcomed new data from Statistics Canada that for the first time shows how clean technologies and environmental goods and services benefit the Canadian economy.

The data shows that production of clean technologies, clean energy, and environmental goods and services contributed three percent of Canada's gross domestic product and provided jobs to 274,000 Canadians in 2016. Exports of Canadian clean technology and environmental goods and services companies also accounted for two percent of Canada's total exports abroad.

Canada is among the first countries to measure the impact of clean technologies and environmental goods and services on a national level and commit to the regular publication of data on clean technology to inform decision-making, improve knowledge and foster innovation.

In Budget 2017, the Government of Canada announced a $2.2-billion investment in the clean technology sector. The Government also invested $14.5 million to establish the Pan-Canadian Clean Technology Data Strategy, a commitment in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

The data from the new Environmental and Clean Technology Products Economic Account is now available.

Quotes

"We're transforming data into insight to help us understand the environmental and social impacts of clean technologies on the Canadian economy -- an important part of our vision for a clean, innovative economy that balances economic growth and environmental protection."

Jim Carr
Minister of Natural Resources

"Clean technology presents a promising opportunity for Canadian businesses, and studies like the Clean Tech Satellite Account are integral to ensuring Canada is continuing its role as a clean technology leader."

Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Today, Statistics Canada is providing Canadians with a detailed portrait of the clean technology sector and its role in our economy. With this information, Canadians, businesses and governments are better informed to make sound, evidence-based decisions to promote the development of a sustainable economy and environment."

Anil Arora
Chief Statistician of Canada

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