Indigenous communities across Canada have a variety of local resources that they can harness to address their energy challenges in both remote and non-remote locations.

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A recent article in The Globe & Mail titled, "Push to end energy poverty in indigenous communities underway" (Nov 24, 2016), stated:

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For remote indigenous communities across Canada, the lack of clean, reliable energy is a major contributor to the grinding poverty that is a part of everyday life.

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Some 200 communities in the country are not connected to an electricity grid and must rely on diesel generators for their power. They experience blackouts, fuel spills and a shortage of capacity that frustrates growth and development plans. While subsidized, the diesel is expensive – especially when warm winters melt ice roads and limit the ability of communities to truck in their fuel supply. 

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As it has been across the world, electrification is considered a necessary – though far from sufficient – tool for improving lives of people living in remote, poor communities. 

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Currently, most off-grid communities rely on major utility companies for large diesel generators that provide limited power – but no heat – to band facilities and houses.

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Energy poverty is generally defined as a lack of access to modern energy services. It refers to the situation of large numbers of people in communities whose well-being is negatively affected by very low consumption of energy, use of dirty or polluting fuels, and excessive time spent collecting fuel to meet basic needs.

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Without energy security communities cannot provide the quality lighting, health, education, communication, municipal services and other infrastructure that is required in a modern economy. These services are taken as a given by residents in urban areas of Canada.

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Members of Canadian Green Fund's management team have several decades of experience working with a variety of First Nations communities in Canada.

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Canadian Green Fund is committed to work with First Nations and Indigenous Communities across Canada to develop triple bottom line long-term solutions that meet the needs of all parties.

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