Up-Front Multi-Year Funding

Name of recipient: Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) (Statutory) – SD Tech Fund^TM

Start date: March 26, 2001

End date: December 31, 2017

Total funding: $590 million^*

^*Budget 2013 has subsequently announced an additional $325 million to SDTC over the next eight years, which would bring federal investments to a total of $915 million of funding and would extend the end date to 2020-21 once a new agreement is reached.

Description: SDTC, a not-for-profit foundation created by the Government of Canada, is managing the SD Tech Fund^TM to stimulate the development and demonstration of Canadian technologies that address climate change, clean air, clean water and clean soil. Funding to SDTC is provided equally from NRCan and Environment Canada.

Strategic outcome(s): 2) Natural Resource Sectors and Consumers are Environmentally Responsible

Summary of results achieved by the recipient: SDTC has allocated $592^{Footnote 1} million to leverage $1.5 billion in funding from other partners for a total of $2.1 billion in portfolio value across its 245 projects. A total of 84 projects have been completed since the Fund’s inception. In 2012, the Foundation expended $68 million to support projects under the SD Tech Fund™. It also allocated $78 million in funding projects, including 24 new projects.

SDTC reported that 90% of projects continue to be led by small and medium-sized companies.

SDTC-funded projects are expected to generate positive impacts related to climate change, clean air, clean water and clean soil, with 90% of projects generating multiple environmental benefits.

In terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, SDTC estimates a total annual reduction in 2015, attributed to the 245 projects funded to date, of between 7 and 17 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. 74 projects, which were completed prior to 2012, have reported actual emission reductions of approximately 1.1 megatonnes in 2012.

Comments on variances: The SD Tech Fund^TM received money upfront in 2004-05, which was fully transferred to the Foundation at the time.

Significant evaluation findings by the recipient during the reporting year and future plan: There were no evaluations in 2012-13. (Two interim evaluations were performed by an independent third party in 2006 and 2009 as required in the funding agreement.)

Significant audit findings by the recipient during the reporting year and future plan: A standard financial audit was completed as required by the funding agreement and results were provided in the 2012 SDTC Annual Report. There were no other audits in 2012-13. The funding agreement stipulates that Canada or the Auditor General may undertake a compliance audit at any time over the life of the SD Tech Fund^TM. As required by the funding agreement, a value-for-money (performance) audit of the SD Tech Fund^TM was completed on behalf of the government in 2010-11, and the final report was issued in July 2011.

Link to recipient’s website: http://www.sdtc.ca