This Canada Day we’re celebrating five Canadian projects that are creating good jobs and building the clean economy. These projects are sourcing Canadian raw materials, using made-in-Canada tech, producing local clean energy and building Canadian infrastructure, all while decarbonizing and optimizing operations to stay globally competitive. Importantly, many are Indigenous-owned or involve an economic partnership with Indigenous communities. Read on for examples of Canadian ingenuity, leadership, and home-grown talent that we can all be proud of. 

The BC mine that’s producing the copper needed to build the clean economy.  
We are going to need a lot of copper to build the electric vehicles, renewable power and electricity infrastructure for the clean economy. Luckily, we don’t have to look far. The Province of British Columbia recently granted an environmental assessment certificate to the Teck Highland Valley Copper mine, allowing the mine to expand and continue operations into 2040. This will not only produce critical minerals our manufacturing industry needs, but it will also create about 2,900 jobs in the construction phase of the project, and 1,500 jobs for ongoing operations. Teck’s project is just the kind of shovels-in-the-ground nation building that we love to see. 

The Alberta-based tech company transforming waste into building materials.
It takes a lot of resources to build the homes and roads (and all the other infrastructure) we need. Calgary-based cleantech firm Carbon Upcycling has developed a technology that can repurpose both industrial waste and carbon emissions. Partnering with the Ash Grove Cement plant in Mississauga, the firm’s technology uses waste products from steel production and captured carbon emissions to produce low-carbon cement products. By integrating this exciting new technology, Carbon Upcycling is helping the Canadian cement industry remain competitive by localizing supply chains while producing the low-carbon products customers are looking for. That’s the kind of “two birds with one stone” approach that is worth celebrating. 

The battery storage facility that’s the 5^th largest in the world.
About two hours south of Toronto, ON, 278 lithium-ion batteries are storing enough energy to power a city with a population of 410,000 (i.e., the size of Oshawa, ON). The Oneida energy storage project is a battery energy storage facility partly owned by Northland Power, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, NRStor Inc., Aecon Concessions and Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation. Oneida is the largest battery storage facility in the country, and within the top five clean energy storage projects in the world. The facility officially began operations this past May and employed 180 skilled workers during construction. Expanding energy storage capacity is crucial to the success of the clean economy, and the Oneida facility is proof that Canada has the ambition and ability to make it happen. 

The suburban electric vehicle manufacturer that’s transforming urban commuting.
With all the ups and downs facing the auto-manufacturing industry these days, there’s one Canadian company quietly becoming a leader in the global vehicle electrification movement. Nova Bus is a world renowned all-electric bus manufacturer located in St. Eustache, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal. The company employs over 1000 workers and has recently passed international standard requirements for electric buses, securing its place as a leader in electric bus manufacturing. Nova Bus is working directly with Canadian municipalities, including York Region in Ontario, which recently ordered 80 of its low floor series electric plus model, scheduled for delivery in 2026. The company has already supplied thousands of buses to municipalities across Quebec. Nova’s success proves that we have all the talent and know-how to build a sustainable and competitive automotive sector. 

The renewable energy company finding big value in Indigenous equity partnerships.
Indigenous communities are leaders in clean energy project development, partnering with provinces and utilities to deliver power to the clean economy. In BC, Innergex Renewable Energy expanded its long-standing practice of partnering with First Nations on renewable project development to announce three new onshore wind installations with the Westbank First Nation, Stellat’en First Nation, and West Moberly First Nations holding 51 percent of the equity. The wind farms, which will begin operations in 2030 or 2031, will create 430 jobs and produce enough combined power for 170,000 homes (roughly the size of Kelowna, BC). Partnering with First Nations for renewable energy projects advances economic reconciliation and supports our growing electricity demand.  

An honourable mention for Canada’s first zero-emissions lobster boat! 
Membertou First Nation and partners are developing an electric alternative to their existing diesel lobster boat fleet. Electric lobster boats will reduce fuel costs for fishermen, while reducing emissions and noise pollution. This shows how new tech can help industries cut costs and remain competitive, no matter their size!