The federal government will give $12 million to Loblaws Inc so that it make its refrigerators and freezers more energy-efficient, Canadian Press reports Tuesday. CP notes that Loblaws annual report for 2018 indicates that the firm had $800 million in net earnings after covering interest payments, taxes and other charges. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced the $12-million award at a Loblaws Superstore in her Ottawa riding Monday. The money will cover one-quarter of the costs of retrofitting the refrigeration systems in 370 of the company’s supermarkets over the next three years. Loblaw is to invest $36 million in the project. McKenna defended the funds Tuesday saying the greenhouse-gas emissions reduced through the project will cut Loblaws overall emissions by nearly a fourth and be the equivalent of taking 50,000 cars off the road. “This was an open tender, open to any company or organization across the country to get bang for the buck because, guess what,” McKenna said in response to Fast. “Canadians want to reduce their emissions,” she said. Global News clip
