About ERA
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is one of the largest clean technology funders in Canada.
Since 2009, ERA has helped deliver on Alberta’s environmental and economic goals by investing over $1 billion in the pilot, demonstration, and deployment of clean technology solutions to strengthen competitiveness, improve productivity, and reduce emissions.
ERA is funded by the Government of Alberta through the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Fund, with additional funding from the Government of Canada and Canada’s refining sector through the Clean Fuel Regulations.
Mandate & Vision
Mandate
Reduce emissions and support the competitiveness and growth of Alberta’s economy by accelerating the development and adoption of innovative technology solutions.
Vision
Alberta has a diversified economy with competitive industries that deliver sustainable environmental outcomes and attract investment.
Value Proposition
ERA provides funding to strengthen the competitiveness of industries in Alberta. These investments help innovators develop, demonstrate, and adopt technologies that reduce emissions and enhance Alberta’s environment and ecosystems. These technologies will lower costs, improve competitiveness, and accelerate economic diversification with high environmental performance. ERA delivers results through a competitive, transparent, efficient, and outcomes-focused delivery model.
Strategic Priorities
Accelerate Technology
Invest in innovative technologies that help industries in Alberta reduce emissions and mitigate environmental impacts while improving global competitiveness.
Drive Commercialization
Convene the right resources to accelerate the adoption and broader commercial deployment of clean technology solutions that drive economic growth, emissions reductions, and wider environmental benefits in Alberta.
Maximize Impact
Maximize ERA’s impact beyond technology support by sharing knowledge and striving for operational excellence.
Core Values
INNOVATION
Collaboration
Transparency
Integrity
Executive Team
Justin Riemer
Chief Executive Officer
An Albertan through and through, Justin Riemer has dedicated his career to strengthening the province he loves. As Chief Executive Officer of Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Justin leads one of Canada’s most impactful clean technology innovation organizations—driving investment into transformative technologies that improve environmental performance and accelerate industrial competitiveness.
Justin is widely recognized for his ability to operate at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and public policy. He has built a reputation as a strategic leader and ecosystem builder—connecting industry, startups, investors, and governments to unlock new opportunities for growth and commercialization. His work has helped catalyze billions of dollars in investment, support high-impact ventures, and scale solutions that deliver both economic and environmental returns.
With more than 25 years of senior executive experience, Justin has delivered results across regional economic development, industry expansion, investment attraction, and innovation system development. Before joining ERA, Justin led the Alberta Region of Prairies Economic Development Canada in the federal government to support economic development across the province. Prior to that, he held several senior positions focused on innovation and investment attraction at the Government of Alberta and briefly at Alberta Health Services. Justin also contributes his expertise through board leadership and advisory roles at Glenrose Hospital Foundation and Edmonton Unlimited.
Heather Stephens
Chief Operating Officer
Heather Stephens, ERA’s Chief Operating Officer, has played a pivotal role in the organization since its inception in 2009. Currently, Heather oversees strategic areas including marketing and communications, investment impact, partnerships, government and industry engagement, and finance. She continues to provide leadership across ERA’s operations, drawing on her deep expertise in governance, contract management, IT, and human resources.
A Chartered Professional Accountant, Heather brings over two decades of experience from PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she worked in both Edmonton and London, UK, and was instrumental in helping establish ERA (formerly Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation). In recognition of her leadership and contributions, Heather was awarded a Fellowship with CPA Alberta in 2025 and was recognized by the Women in Energy Transformation Series—a collaboration between the Pembina Institute and Globe Series—for her role in advancing Canada’s clean energy transition. Heather holds Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of Alberta.
Christophe Owttrim
Executive Director, Technology and Innovation
Chris Owttrim is the Executive Director of Technology and Innovation for Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA). He oversees ERA’s strategic direction in technology investments, spearheads competitive funding calls, and provides thought leadership on clean technology garnered from ERA’s investments. Chris has spent the last seven years in a variety of roles with Alberta Innovates and ERA, most recently serving as ERA’s Technology Investment Lead.
Chris is a clean technology and green energy specialist with experience supporting research, development, and commercialization projects for emerging technologies as well as researching, modelling, and analyzing energy systems and decarbonization pathways. He is highly passionate about the intersection of climate, energy, economics, and policy. Chris holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta.
Syed Ayub
Executive Director, Portfolio Management and Corporate Services
Syed Ayub is the Executive Director of Portfolio Management and Corporate Services at Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and its subsidiary, Fuel Innovation Fund. He provides strategic oversight across information technology, human resources, board governance, legal, contracting, project management and data management. A values-driven leader, Syed is committed to advancing ERA’s mission to deliver environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Syed brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the public energy sector, with expertise in regulation, policy analysis, and corporate operations. Before joining ERA, he led key corporate functions at the Canada Energy Regulator, developed methane emissions reduction regulations at the Alberta Energy Regulator, and advanced biofuels policy at Natural Resources Canada. Syed holds a Master’s degree in Management from Harvard University, a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Calgary, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Queen’s University.