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By David Opinko

$6.3-million announced to improve green construction practices in Alberta

Sep 4, 2020 | 11:07 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The federal government is pumping funding into the province to allow for research into green and energy-efficient construction.

Minister of Economic Development Mélanie Joly announced grants to the non-profit organization Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association (SSRIA).

It will establish a network of test buildings where small and medium-sized businesses can collaborate and test their products under different conditions.

Joly says supporting the development of green technologies is not only good for the environment but the economy as well.

“This investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada will support good, well-paying jobs in communities across Alberta while helping the province’s construction industry stay on the cutting edge. It will help many small and medium-sized businesses across the province innovate and grow while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and I’m excited to see the difference it will make.”

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Through this investment, it is expected that some of the products and services being researched will include:

• Materials for walls, roofs, and foundations
• Mechanical and electrical system improvements
• Sensors and lighting products that reduce energy consumption
• Software for storing and analyzing building performance on energy efficiency and greenhouse gases

“Through strong collaboration with our partners, the Government of Alberta continues to look for opportunities to create new jobs. Albertans are builders, and innovators,” says Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation. “We’ve been the engine of Canada’s economy because of the fresh ideas that we bring to the table, and this is one more way for us to keep sharing new concepts from our world-class construction and engineering industry with the rest of Canada and the world.”

The funding includes $3-million from Western Economic Diversification Canada, Alberta Innovates is contributing $2.8-million, and there will be in-kind support from the industry of $165,000.