Christian Paradis Announces $4 Million for Renewable Energies

SAINT-ÉTIENNE-DES-GRÉS (QUEBEC) – Transforming garbage into renewable energy to grow tomatoes – now that’s a sustainable solution. Christian Paradis, Secretary of State (Agriculture), announced today that a $4-million grant would be awarded to Les Serres du Saint-Laurent, Inc. (Savoura tomatoes) for the construction of a network to capture and harness landfill gas.

The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources.

The network, contructed in Saint‑Étienne‑des‑Grès on the sanitary landfill site held by the Régie de gestion des matières résiduelles de la Mauricie, will use clean energy to power a new greenhouse complex covering five hectares. The total cost for the new greenhouse complex will be $16 million.

“This important contribution by the Government of Canada clearly demonstrates our commitment to protecting the environment by supporting concrete, responsible solutions to clean our air, water and soil, and by using cleaner sources of energy for the benefit of all Canadians and Quebecers,” explained Mr. Paradis.

Biomethane, which is generated by the decomposition of organic waste in sanitary landfill sites, represents one of the largest sources of methane produced by human activity, at nearly 26 percent of total methane production in Canada. The biomethane harvesting project will result in reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 135,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

The grant, administered by Natural Resources Canada, will cover the costs associated with installing underground pipelines, constructing a compression station and biomethane capture networks, and supplying water to the greenhouse complex.

“Our government is taking serious action on climate change, but we can’t do the job alone,” said Mr. Paradis. “All Canadians will need to join in the effort. Les Serres du Saint-Laurent, Inc. is one striking example of how collaboration can work. By encouraging innovation and the use of renewable energies, we are also working to save our environment.”

By providing concrete, effective solutions such as the ecoENERGY initiatives and the new national lighting standards, the government is achieving real results to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


The project with Les Serres du Saint-Laurent, Inc. advances the Government of Canada’s commitment to taking real decisive actions to protect the environment.