[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” next_background_color=”#ffffff” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.2)” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#ffffff 0%|#edf2f2 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_end=”#edf2f2″ background_image=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/QUEST-Swish-Full2.png” background_repeat=”repeat” min_height=”488px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||-200px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||-200px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” bottom_divider_style=”arrow” background_color_gradient_stops_tablet=”#ffffff 0%|#edf2f2 100%” background_color_gradient_stops_phone=”#ffffff 0%|#edf2f2 100%” transparent_background=”off” global_module=”11578″ collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”110px” hide_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Category” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#333333″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nNews Release\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title author=”off” date=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ title_font=”||||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#00a9a6″ title_font_size=”68px” meta_font=”|||on|||||” meta_text_color=”#a9bcbe” meta_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”75%” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”18px||0px|||” title_font_size_tablet=”55px” title_font_size_phone=”37px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”620px” custom_padding=”0px|||” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”620px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/QUEST-Author.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Author Image” module_class=”circular” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ max_width=”20%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-65px|||” border_radii=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” border_color_all=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_post_title title=”off” date=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Author Meta” _builder_version=”4.16″ meta_font=”|600||on|||||” meta_text_color=”#00a9a6″ meta_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”10px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Date Meta” _builder_version=”4.16″ meta_font=”|||on|||||” meta_text_color=”#333333″ meta_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”57%” width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”2560%” custom_padding=”0px|||” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”50%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Social Media Share” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]
<\/p>\n
May 30, 2023<\/b>–Today, QUEST Canada is excited to announce the launch of its Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy (AIRE) for Indigenous Communities project, in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan.<\/span><\/p>\n QUEST Canada\u2019s AIRE for Indigenous Communities project is an innovative initiative that enables remote Indigenous communities to build local capacity to accelerate renewable energy projects, building a pathway to net-zero.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The project leverages proven tools and services developed during QUEST Canada\u2019s <\/span>Accelerate the Implementation of Renewable Energy (AIRE)<\/span><\/a> project, which partnered with participating communities from Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick. The processes and tools established during the original AIRE project are now being adapted to better serve Indigenous communities.<\/span><\/p>\n AIRE for Indigenous Communities is a three-year project designed to help rural and remote Indigenous communities reach emission reduction targets by increasing capacity to plan and implement land-based renewable energy initiatives (namely solar, wind, biomass, and geo-thermal). The project will work with participating Indigenous communities to ensure they have the information and tools necessary to better assess and communicate renewable energy opportunities as well as adapt to advancements and changes in energy-related technologies and policy. To accomplish these objectives, QUEST Canada will develop a publicly available toolkit that rural and remote Indigenous communities and their stakeholders can reference to establish and deploy deeper collaborative planning processes for local renewable energy development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Tonja Leach” job_title=”Executive Director” company_name=”QUEST Canada” portrait_url=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tonja-Sensible.jpg” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cEnergy systems and social systems are interconnected. Ensuring energy security in remote and rural Indigenous communities is imperative to reconciliation, enhanced self-sufficiency, as well as improved overall health and well-being. QUEST Canada’s AIRE for Indigenous Communities project seeks to learn from and work with Indigenous communities to accelerate renewable energy projects to help Canada achieve its net-zero targets, equitably.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row 1 Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”50%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Section 2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font_size=”15px” custom_margin=”||25px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Frog Lake First Nation (FLFN) in rural Alberta and two remote Indigenous communities governed by Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN)<\/span>\u2014<\/span>an\u00a0 Asin\u012bsk\u0101witiniwak First Nation band government in Northern Saskatchewan (consisting of eight communities)<\/span><\/i>\u2014<\/span>will participate in the project.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Jarrett Merasty” company_name=”Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies” admin_label=”Testimonial 2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cThe collaborative work between QUEST Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies is key to advancing energy security in the North, but also creating a sustainable future for generations to come. By working together, we are discovering the untapped potential of renewable energy and finding ways to align energy development with community values. This partnership not only benefits the environment but also provides valuable training opportunities for the next generation of leaders, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills to build a better world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row 1 Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”50%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Section 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font_size=”15px” custom_margin=”||25px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n QUEST Canada has partnered with the University of Saskatchewan, providing two Master\u2019s students with the experiential learning opportunity to work under the guidance of subject-matter experts to deliver renewable energy geospatial mapping analysis to participating communities in Northern Saskatchewan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Bram Noble” job_title=”Vice Dean, Research, Scholarly & Artistic Work, College of Arts & Science and Co-Director, Community Appropriate Sustainable Energy Security (CASES) Partnership” company_name=”University of Saskatchewan” portrait_url=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Bram-Nobels-from-USASK-headshot.png” admin_label=”Testimonial 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cOur work in collaboration with QUEST [Canada] and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is helping advance energy security in northern Indigenous communities. Together, we are exploring resource capacities for local renewable energy development and seeking opportunities for energy transitions that align with community social, economic, and cultural values. The collaboration is providing valuable training opportunities for graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan and helping train the next generation of energy leaders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson” job_title=”Minister of Natural Resources Canada” company_name=”Natural Resources Canada” portrait_url=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Minister-Wilkinson.png” admin_label=”Testimonial 4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cThe Government of Canada is pleased to collaborate with Indigenous communities to unlock economic opportunities in the clean energy sector while supporting communities to move past diesel reliance and access more affordable energy. Through investments like the one we announced today with QUEST [Canada] in the AIRE for Indigenous Communities planning project, we are taking steps towards a net-zero future together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row 1 Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”50%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Section 4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font_size=”15px” custom_margin=”||25px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Federal funding for this project is provided through Natural Resources Canada\u2019s <\/span>Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities<\/span><\/a> program, a $453-million program that strives to reduce reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities by deploying and demonstrating renewable energy projects, encouraging energy efficiency and building local skills and capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n To learn more about the AIRE for Indigenous Communities project and how it aims to support rural and remote Indigenous communities, visit the project webpage <\/a><\/span>and join QUEST Canada’s mailing list <\/a><\/span>for future project updates.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201330\u2013<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/INDIG-AIRE.png” alt=”A photo of a lake with a tree-lined shoreline in the distance” title_text=”Indigenous AIRE” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”800px” max_width_tablet=”65%” max_width_phone=”72%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row 1 Text” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”50%” max_width=”50%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”50%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#FFCC00″ divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Column 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font_size=”15px” custom_margin=”||-20px||false|false” custom_padding=”||14px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n About QUEST Canada<\/b><\/p>\n