The CHFCA and HBoC to establish new regional partnership in Ontario
June 22, 2021
The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) and the Hydrogen Business Council of Canada (HBoC) are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement in principle to affiliate in Ontario, integrating administrative and communications resources, and providing a clear and consistent message to government, industry and the public on the vital and fast-growing hydrogen and fuel cell industry.
The affiliation will provide industry and academia in Ontario with a strong regional voice to promote hydrogen energy adoption in the province, partnering CHFCA’s national and international strength with the regional focus of HBCoC to successfully work toward support for commercial hydrogen energy projects and hubs; increase industry and public awareness; and greater understanding of the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cells.
“We are delighted to be partnering with HBCoC to advance the hydrogen economy in Ontario and globally,” says Mark Kirby, President and CEO of the CHFCA. “Their engaged member companies and strong experience in the sector will strengthen our voice nationally and internationally, and together we will increase Ontario’s economic and environmental benefits from hydrogen energy.”
Ontario is well-placed to become a leader in Canada’s hydrogen economy due to leading sector companies, the province’s low-carbon electricity supply and extensive natural gas distribution system. The transition to clean hydrogen in applications such as transportation, heating, material handling, and industrial processes will reduce Ontario’s carbon emissions while creating jobs and investment for the province.
“We are pleased to be working with the CHFCA in framing and executing an official affiliate relationship such that HBoC is part of a Canada-wide partnership to pursue the development and deployment of hydrogen low-carbon solutions as part of a climate action plan,” says Robert Stasko, Executive Director of HBoC. “HBoC will continue to focus on hydrogen opportunities, policies and projects here in Ontario – but as part of a much larger pan-Canadian umbrella organization.”
HBoC will join Hydrogen BC and Hydrogène Québec in providing regional support to the hydrogen and fuel cell sector. In 2020, the CHFCA affiliated with Quebec association Hydrogène Québec and established Hydrogen BC as a regional branch in British Columbia.
The parties expect to complete the integration by the Fall of 2021.
About the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA)
The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) is a national association that supports industry, academia, government agencies, financial organizations and other stakeholders focused on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and products. As the collective voice of Canada’s world-leading hydrogen and fuel cell sector, the CHFCA’s mission is to strengthen Canadian leadership, raise awareness of the benefits of the technology, and accelerate the adoption of its members’ products and services in Canada and abroad. The CHFCA currently has 80 members across Canada and two regional branches in British Columbia and Quebec. You can also follow CHFCA on Twitter at @PoweringNow or visit www.chfca.ca for more information.
About the Hydrogen Business Council of Canada (HBoC)
HBC is a like-minded community dedicated to bringing knowledge and opportunities to the minds and hands of those who can apply and realize the benefits of hydrogen technology in their work and their lives. We endeavour to ensure that the uptake of hydrogen opportunities that is happening in many global centres can also happen in Ontario. We further believe that many aspects of such a community model can be replicated in other Canadian locations.