Okotoks chosen to receive new EV charging stations
A community just south of Calgary is among eight Canadian municipalities that will have new charging stations installed as part of an Earth Day Canada campaign.
Insurance provider Aviva Canada is behind the initiative, called Charged for Change, which aims to bring electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to Canadians coast to coast.
Okotoks, Alta., 45 kilometres south of Calgary, is one of the recipients in the second year of the program.
"Aviva Canada is taking action on climate change and helping to build stronger, more resilient communities by investing in public charging stations," the company said in a statement, adding that access to such stations can often be a barrier for residents considering buying an EV.
"That’s why we worked with Earth Day Canada to create Charged for Change, a program that will fund public electric vehicle (EV) charging installations in communities across Canada with limited or no access to EV infrastructure," Aviva said.
The funding will help build Level 2 EV charging stations, the most common type of charger in public spaces.
In 2023, the inaugural year for the three-year program, the company said 37 charging heads were installed.
Earth Day Canada, an organization that promotes conservation and helps individuals, municipalities and organizations reduce their impact on the environment, says it's grateful for the commitment made by Aviva.
"The collective transition to electromobility is a key part of the global climate change solution," said executive dicector Valerie Mallamo in a statement.
She said the installation of EV chargers in rural municipalities increase opportunities and cut down on some of the misgivings that residents have about the technology.
The Town of Okotoks says the grant announcement is "a wonderful move" for the community.
There is no written contract for the installation, officials said but its hoped that construction could begin by at least the summer.
A spokesperson said the town has two EV chargers at the public library and one at Okotoks town hall, so the addition of more, including those that are partially paid for, will make it so much better for the community.
Interested municipalities can apply for year three funding in the fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko'
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
BREAKING Hosting Vancouver's FIFA World Cup games could cost half a billion dollars
Hosting seven games in Vancouver during the 2026 FIFA World Cup could cost more than half a billion dollars, according to an updated estimate provided Tuesday.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a northeast London suburb Tuesday, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring four other people, British authorities said.
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
WATCH Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted filming in Elora, Ont.
The name of the project has not been officially released although it’s widely believed to be the Netflix series FUBAR.
Conservatives push motion calling for Carney to testify, say it's about 'accountability'
The federal Conservatives made good on their promise to push for former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to testify before MPs, resulting in a heated political debate in Ottawa on Tuesday.
London Drugs stores remain closed, 'cybersecurity incident' may have breached personal data
London Drugs says it is working with third-party security experts as the company tries to reopen dozens of stores across Western Canada that were shuttered by a cybersecurity incident Sunday.