Two federal climate programs launched in 2018 failed to demonstrate promised job creation or emissions reductions after spending $301.38 million over seven years, according to an official government evaluation released February 28.
Natural Resources Canada’s evaluation found that the Smart Grid Program and Emerging Renewable Power Program cannot verify their effectiveness because managers stopped collecting key performance data during project implementation. The programs eliminated annual reporting requirements in March 2021, meaning “data on jobs created and GHG emissions reductions are no longer being collected” during active projects.
The Smart Grid Program targeted 5,200 total job years but is “in progress, but this target will not be achieved based on the data currently available,” according to the evaluation. The Emerging Renewable Power Program aimed to reduce emissions by 1.0 megatonne of CO2 annually but is expected to achieve only 0.2 megatonnes.
The evaluation concluded that “the lack of a consistent approach in how data were reported rendered it impossible to aggregate the results, and thus accurately assess the extent to which some of the indicators have been met.”
Program managers will only collect final metrics when projects conclude, but the report warns this timing means “it will most likely be too difficult and too late to identify weaknesses or errors, and make changes and corrections.”
The Smart Grid Program received $101.38 million over five years to modernize electricity infrastructure, while the Emerging Renewable Power Program was allocated $200 million over eight years to expand renewable energy sources. Both programs were extended beyond their original timelines due to COVID-19 disruptions and regulatory barriers.
Natural Resources Canada management accepted the evaluation’s recommendations to improve data collection and program oversight for future climate initiatives.
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