The report comes from Clean Energy Canada, a non-profit think tank based out of B.C.’s Simon Fraser University, and Navius Research, a Vancouver-based firm that focuses on the quantitative analysis of energy markets. It found that the clean energy industry contributes more to Canada’s economy than agriculture and forestry or the hotel and restaurant industries, and employed almost 300,000 people across Canada in 2017. (CBC)

Talking point: The report’s findings outline that, while the sector is significant and growing—attracting more than $35 billion in investment in 2017—it remains largely unknown to most Canadians and is often not identified in statistics. While public awareness may be low, powerful investors and politicians are increasingly paying attention. In April, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ)—which has $309.5 billion in assets under management—announced it was looking for investments in cleantech. The federal government is looking to invest $50 million in cleantech via the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative. But not all of this is brand-new money: the Business Development Bank of Canada has had a $135-million fund focused on cleantech and energy since 2016.