Ottawa has announced an investment of nearly $9 million for the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) to deploy a 4.86-megawatt solar power generation project in Smoky Lake County at Métis Crossing in that province.

The 100-percent Métis-owned Métis Crossing Solar Project (MCSP) was developed as a key initiative of the MNA Climate Change Action Plan. The development of the solar facility will provide economic and community benefits to all community partners.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to be supporting the Métis Nation of Alberta’s deployment of this 4.86-megawatt solar energy project. This innovative initiative creates sustainable jobs, provides clean power to the Nation and reduces emissions. Indigenous leadership in clean energy is critical to both achieving Canada’s ambitious climate targets and enacting economic reconciliation,” says Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Natural Resources.

The MCSP is expected to generate enough electricity to power all MNA and affiliate buildings, an amount roughly equivalent to 1,200 Alberta homes, and will displace 4,700 tonnes of CO₂ annually, equivalent to taking 10,000 gas-powered cars off of the road. Profits generated from the MCSP will be used to fund social and economic development initiatives and programs through the MNA, benefiting Métis people across Alberta.

The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre‘s Municipal Community Generation Challenge Fund and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund  also contributed to the project, bringing the total investment to over $13 million.

Federal funding for this project is provided by Natural Resources Canada’s$1.56-billion Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs) program. This program will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling increased renewable energy capacity that will provide essential grid services while contributing to Canada’s net-zero targets by 2030, which will improve public health by creating cleaner, more breathable air.

Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy ensures Canada will remain a world leader in clean power. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting local solutions and community-driven projects that will build a clean energy future for all. Together, we are building healthier, greener and more energy-resilient communities for future generations.