The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, was in Kitchener and Guelph today to meet with local representatives who are taking climate action to protect the environment and grow the economy. She highlighted the Government of Canada’s ongoing collaboration with clean-tech businesses to develop a more sustainable future for generations to come.
While in Kitchener, Minister McKenna took part in a round-table discussion with the mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic; the mayor of Waterloo, Dave Jaworsky; the Minister of Small Business and Tourism as well as the Member of Parliament for Waterloo, Bardish Chagger; the Member of Parliament for Guelph, Lloyd Longfield; the Member of Parliament for Kitchener South–Hespeler, Marwan Tabbara; and other representatives from the two cities. This was an opportunity for federal and municipal officials to discuss how they could work together to take climate action.
Later, Minister McKenna toured the facilities of Magna International’s Polycon Industries Inc., in Guelph—a company that protects the environment by producing minimal carbon emissions and that saves money by being energy efficient.
The next stop was at the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre at the University of Guelph. Minister McKenna had a glimpse of research in various disciplines, aimed at commercializing products made from renewable resources—Canadian solutions that will help protect the environment and grow the economy.
Minister McKenna’s last stop was at the University of Guelph’s thermal energy storage system. The system has helped reduce energy bills for the University and local communities. In addition, natural resources are preserved, helping to protect the environment.