Calgary business supports Canadian energy framework
29-Jun-2011Changing the Climate policy and event series summary report released
Calgary, Alberta – Today the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Canada West Foundation released the research report Changing the Climate: A Policy Framework for Canada’s New Energy Environment. The report emphasized three main priorities for a robust Canadian energy strategy:
- Strengthening Canada’s energy relationship with the United States and with Asia Pacific markets;
- Driving continuous improvement on environmental performance across the energy system without adversely impacting the economy; and
- Building cooperation across the Canadian federation on energy issues.
“A national energy framework can help Canada realize its ambitions for a prosperous and sustainable future,” stated Adam Legge, President + CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “Energy security and affordability, continuous environmental performance, promoting innovation and ensuring competitiveness, should be key outcomes of this vision."
The series, initiated by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Canada West Foundation, brought together thought leaders from business, government and the broader community in the United States and Canada to discuss and analyze energy and environmental policy issues critical to Canada’s future.
“A Canadian energy strategy must respect the constitutional division of powers and responsibilities for energy development between the federal government and the provinces and territories,” said Roger Gibbins, President & CEO of the Canada West Foundation. “Canada’s regions have unique energy circumstances; however, there is potential for shared action.”
Critical action areas that a Canadian energy framework needs to address include intergovernmental collaboration; regulatory enhancement; environmental performance; national carbon management; energy efficiency; energy market diversification; energy sector innovation; and workforce issues in the energy sector.
“As the main source of Canadian fossil fuels, Western Canada has a great deal of expertise and has much at stake in the transition to a lower carbon future,” remarked Gibbins. “If there is any policy discussion where Western Canadians should be strong contributors, it is the national discussion on energy policy.”
The series identified four major drivers for a Canadian energy strategy:
- Increasing public expectations for responsible energy development.
- Canadian energy resources becoming increasingly more difficult to access and energy intensive to extract.
- The need to be proactive to avoid having other countries dictate the conditions under which Canada exports energy resources.
- Canada’s potential to become a world leader and exporter in energy technologies, expertise and services
“A Canadian energy policy framework must include a carbon management component to provide investment certainty,” stated Legge. “Whether through regulation, carbon pricing or investment in technology, Canada needs a strategy that manages carbon emissions equitably across all sectors.”
The series also explored the Canada-US energy trade relationship, which provides a range of benefits for both countries. “The United States is our largest foreign consumer energy and a close ally,” remarked Legge. “However, this should not preclude diversifying our customer base to capitalize on high growth regions such as the Asia Pacific and attract higher prices.”
The Changing the Climate report acknowledged the challenge of meeting world energy demand while transitioning to a less carbon intensive economy. “With worldwide energy demand expected to increase 36 per cent by 2035, Canada’s fossil fuel resources, in particular oil sands production, will be important during the conversion to a lower greenhouse gas emission future,” stated Legge. “Canada’s oil sands offer North America a stable and reliable source of supply to minimize disruptions in less stable parts of the world such as the Persian Gulf.”
Changing the Climate was a series of high-profile events focused on energy, the environment and the way forward for Canada. The series summary report was released today in anticipation of the 2011 Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference, hosted by Alberta from July 16 – 19, 2011, where the topic of a Canadian energy strategy will be discussed.
About the Chamber
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, sustainable organization whose mission is to connect, serve and champion the Calgary business community in its quest to excel. On critical and emerging issues in public policy, the Chamber acts as the leading forum for debate, and advocates public policy solutions that improve the business climate on behalf of our members.
About the Canada West Foundation
For 40 years, the Canada West Foundation has been the only think tank dedicated to being the objective, nonpartisan voice for issues of vital concern to Western Canadians. Though our research and commentary, we contribute to better government decisions and a stronger Canadian economy.
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For a copy of Changing the Climate: A Policy Framework for Canada’s New Energy Environment or any other Canada West Foundation research paper, visit www.cwf.ca.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Jackie McAtee Director of Marketing & Communications
Calgary Chamber of Commerce
403-750-0437
jmcatee@calgarychamber.com
Grace Kucey
Communications and Media Manager
Canada West Foundation
403-700-9535
kucey@cwf.ca