Canada Passes Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits Bill: Boosting Renewable Energy and Clean Technology
Key Ideas
- Bill C-59 in Ottawa has introduced Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) to promote sectors like renewable energy and clean technology, offering significant financial support through 2027-2028.
- The ITCs cover areas such as Clean Technology, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), Clean Technology Manufacturing, and Clean Hydrogen, aiming to drive innovation and economic growth in Canada.
- NRCan and CRA jointly administer the ITCs, ensuring a seamless process for businesses. Meeting labor requirements is essential to fully benefit from the federal incentives, promoting job creation and skill development.
- The Clean Economy ITCs are projected to provide $93 billion in federal incentives by 2034-2035, playing a crucial role in transforming Canada's economy towards a net-zero future by 2050.
On June 25, 2024, Canada enacted Bill C-59, introducing the Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) in Ottawa. This legislation includes four main ITC categories: Clean Technology, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), Clean Technology Manufacturing, and Clean Hydrogen. Vittoria Bellissimo, the president & CEO of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, expressed optimism about the impact of the Clean Technology ITC on promoting renewable energy and energy storage industries. These ITCs are expected to provide approximately $11.4 billion in support through 2027-2028, attracting investments and creating new opportunities across Canada.
The Clean Technology ITC specifically supports investments in clean technologies, with examples including clean electricity generation equipment and non-road zero-emission vehicles. The CCUS ITC aims to assist taxable Canadian corporations in eligible expenditures for qualified CCUS projects. Additionally, the Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC supports companies in manufacturing clean technologies, providing financial aid for investments in new machinery and equipment. The Clean Hydrogen ITC offers tax credits for hydrogen production projects, with higher levels of support for projects generating the cleanest hydrogen.
NRCan and CRA collaborate to administer these ITCs, offering a user-friendly experience for businesses seeking these incentives. Meeting labor requirements, such as paying prevailing wages and creating apprenticeship opportunities, is crucial to accessing the full value of the ITCs. The Clean Economy ITCs are part of a broader strategy to drive Canada towards a net-zero economy by 2050, with a projected $93 billion in federal incentives by 2034-2035, encouraging innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.