A federal government announcement that it will give as much as $12 million to help Loblaw Companies Ltd, to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions is creating a backlash online.

The announcement sparked an uproar on social media, with commenters expressing frustration about Ottawa handing out money to a large, profitable corporation. Opposition politicians also took to the internet to call out the federal Liberals for their subsidy.

The federal government announced on Monday it will provide up to $12 million to help the grocery chain convert refrigeration systems in about 370 stores. The money will come from the government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund and is expected to help the company cut its carbon footprint by about 23 per cent.

Loblaw reported a profit of $754 million attributable to common shareholders in 2018, and is backed by some of Canada’s wealthiest people. The company’s largest shareholder is Galen Weston, whose has an estimated net worth of US$7.4 billion.

This should make up the difference for the bread price fixing fiasco they paid back to us hard working Canadians. #timeforchange @JustinTrudeau must go — 🇨🇦Pot Stocks🇨🇦 (@Potstockguy) April 8, 2019

Sickening. — Bruce Allen (@BruceAllen2) April 9, 2019

So let’s talk about corporate welfare, shall we? — Sj Bud (@sj_bud) April 8, 2019

Why federal funds??????? — Jacques Bruyere (@jacquestbruyere) April 8, 2019

A $12 million subsidy for a company that made $3 billion last year and massive exemptions for Canada’s worst polluters. This is Justin Trudeau’s “environmental” plan: Big breaks for his well-off friends, while you pay more to drive to work, heat your home & buy your groceries.1/2 https://t.co/ZuRR7BPCYW — Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) April 9, 2019

Justin Trudeau’s Carbon Tax is a revenue plan, not an environmental plan. It makes life more expensive for Canadians and does nothing to help the environment. That’s why I’m going to get rid of it. 2/2 — Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) April 9, 2019

$12 million to a company making billions in profits & whose shareholders rejected a living wage for their employees.



Instead of prioritizing handouts to rich corporations, how about we make life more affordable for people trying to retrofit their home to be more enviro-friendly? https://t.co/ABatuIHpiq — Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) April 8, 2019

Intersectional politics:

You mix climate alarmism with crony capitalism, and you get @cathmckenna handing out $12M to a giant company owned by billionaires to help them upgrade their fridges.



Simply indecent. #PPC2019 https://t.co/HgUqYwvyWk — Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) April 8, 2019

The $2-billion federal fund was unveiled in the 2016 federal budget to help provinces and territories finance initiatives that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also supports Indigenous governments, businesses and other organizations that provide “innovative solutions” to reduce their carbon footprints.

“By investing in these projects, from coast to coast to coast, the Government of Canada is making sure we are positioned to succeed in the $26 trillion global market for clean solutions and to create good middle class jobs today and for the future,” said Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, who made the announcement Monday from Ottawa, in a release.

Canada is aiming to cut its emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels under the Paris climate change accord.