Recommendations and Results to Date

In December 2020, the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada put forward a number of recommendations aimed at supporting the hydrogen ecosystem in Canada. These recommendations reflect the input and views expressed in wide consultation with stakeholders and partners. They are organized in 8 key pillars.

Strategic partnerships

Use existing and new partnerships strategically to collaborate and map the future of hydrogen in Canada.

De-risking of investments

Establish funding programs, long-term policies, and business models to encourage industry and governments to invest in growing the hydrogen economy.

Innovation

Take action to support further R&D, develop research priorities, and foster collaboration between stakeholders to ensure Canada maintains its competitive edge and global leadership in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

Codes and standards

Modernize existing codes and standards to keep pace with this rapidly changing industry and remove barriers to deployment, domestically and internationally.

Enabling policies and regulations

Ensure hydrogen is integrated into clean energy road maps and strategies at all levels of government to incentivize its application.

Awareness

Lead at the national level to ensure individuals and communities are aware of hydrogen’s safety, uses, and benefits during a time of rapidly expanding technologies.

Regional blueprints

Implement a multi-level, collaborative government effort to facilitate the development of regional hydrogen blueprints to identify specific opportunities and plans for hydrogen production and end use.

International markets

Work with our international partners to ensure the global push for clean fuels includes hydrogen so Canadian industries thrive at home and abroad.

Results to date

The Hydrogen Strategy Progress Report provided the first opportunity to take stock and measure progress on the 32 recommendations of the Hydrogen Strategy. As of 2024, Canada is on target for 13 of the recommendations, progressing on 16, and progress on 3 recommendations has been limited.

Progress was made on recommendations related to strategic partnerships, codes and standards, and the creation of a policy ecosystem of enabling policies and regulations to de-risk investments. This is evidenced by the establishment of measures such as the Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit, funding programs such as the Clean Fuels Fund and Strategic Innovation Fund – Net-Zero Accelerator and the development of 22 codes and standards.

Actions recommended under the regional blueprints and international markets pillar have also progressed well, as can be seen with the establishment of eight regional hydrogen hubs under consideration across Canada. On international markets, Canada has done well to develop a strong Canadian brand as can be evidenced through the multiple international agreements, such as the Canada-Germany Energy Partnership or agreements targeting Asian markets.

Details can be found in Appendix III of the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada Progress Report.