Government of Canada Collaborates With Microsoft To Support Climate Action Research

March 29, 2021                                                  Ottawa, Ontario                                    Natural Resources Canada

The Government of Canada supports advancements in science and research that bring value to Canadians. The intersection of science and technology will be key to achieving a cleaner future by solving our most pressing environmental challenges.

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a collaboration with Microsoft Canada to apply digital solutions to support Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) sustainable development and climate action research.

NRCan will collaborate with Microsoft Canada to share expertise and use cloud, data and artificial intelligence (AI) services to develop a platform for national and global science cooperation.

This initiative is a first for NRCan, which, together with Microsoft Canada and Microsoft AI for Earth partners, offers a model for future public and private technology sector collaboration to provide technology, resources and expertise to those working to solve humanitarian issues and create a more sustainable and accessible world.

NRCan has a strong foundation of integrating advanced analytics in its programs. Advancements in AI and machine learning can bring wide-ranging improvements to science, research, production, resource extraction and other activities central to the department’s mandate. Microsoft will also offer AI Business School workshops to NRCan for department-wide skill development in the strategy, governance, operations and responsible use of AI.

NRCan’s recently launched Digital Accelerator is an initiative to grow the AI capacity of scientists and researchers, as well as explore the possibilities for advanced digital solutions in the natural resource sectors — driving sustainable growth and competitiveness through digital innovation. A complete list of current AI projects can be found on the Digital Accelerator website.

The 2020 Speech from the Throne underscored the government’s intention to bring forward a plan to exceed Canada’s 2030 climate goal. Climate action is a cornerstone of the government’s plan to support workers, create jobs and build a low-emissions energy future and a competitive economy that leaves no one behind.