April 30, 2021 — Calgary, Alberta

Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is inclusive of all Canadians.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, met with some of Alberta’s foremost business leaders, investors, innovators and policy‑makers to discuss the clean tech investments announced in Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience.

The COVID-19 recession is the steepest and fastest economic contraction since the Great Depression. It has disproportionately affected low-wage workers, young people, women and racialized Canadians. Budget 2021 is a historic investment to address the specific impacts of the COVID-19 recession, put people first, create jobs, grow the middle class, set businesses on a track for long-term growth and ensure that Canada’s future will be healthier, more equitable, greener and more prosperous.

Budget 2021 demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to making investments in clean technology that lay the groundwork for a stronger, greener and more sustainable economy that creates opportunities for all Canadians. Clean tech continues to offer significant benefits to Canadians—from reduced electricity costs to clean air to more than 211,000 well-paying jobs—and helps reduce our environmental impacts and helps us meet our climate change goals. Building on recent investments in climate action and clean technology, Budget 2021 proposes to provide $17.6 billion toward a green recovery that creates middle-class jobs, builds a clean economy and protects against climate change.

Canada entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position. This allowed the government to take quick and decisive action, supporting people and businesses, and put it in the position to make historic investments in the recovery.