Energy Ministers Build the Foundation of a National Energy Strategy

Federal, provincial and territorial energy ministers agreed to greater collaboration on energy policies at the annual Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference held in mid-July in Kananaskis. Ministers have agreed to prioritize regulatory reform, the creation of new markets, energy efficiency, energy education, and smart grids.

“As host of the Conference this year, the Government of Alberta took an important leadership role to encourage greater cooperation,” said Adam Legge, President + CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “Ministers definitely took some positive steps forward. The priorities of regulatory enhancement and ensuring access to new fast growing markets such as the Asia Pacific region will help Canada support the world’s energy needs and improve our competitiveness.”

Weeks before the Conference, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Canada West Foundation (CWF) released a report entitled Changing the Climate: A Policy Framework for Canada’s New Energy Environment. The report was the accumulation of a year-long series of events incorporating 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. The report emphasized the need for a Canadian energy strategy.

“A national energy framework can help the country realize its ambitions for a prosperous and sustainable future,” said Legge. “Energy security and affordability, continuous environmental performance, promoting innovation and ensuring competitiveness, should be key outcomes of this vision.”

Alberta’s Minister of Energy Ron Liepert delivered a keynote address at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the report launch.

“The Alberta government, like the Chamber, believes it is time to take a national perspective on an energy framework,” stated Liepert. “A coherent, collaborative Canadian energy framework is needed in Canada if we’re going to realize our full potential as a global powerhouse.”

Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver echoed Liepert’s comments in a Calgary Chamber of Commerce speech two weeks later.

“I believe a shared vision of energy is crucial to Canada’s long-term future as a global energy superpower,” said Oliver. “Collaboration respects the uniqueness of each jurisdiction, but positions us much better to harness our energy potential, grow our status as a clean energy supplier and create jobs and prosperity for Canadians.”

The Changing the Climatereport noted several major reasons to create a Canadian energy strategy including greater public expectations for responsible energy development, the need to be proactive to avoid having other countries dictate the conditions under which Canada exports energy resources, and the potential for Canada to become a world leader in energy technologies.

“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 Roger Gibbins, President & CEO of the Canada West Foundation. “If there is any policy discussion where Western Canadians should be strong contributors, it is the national discussion on energy policy.

“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 Gibbins. “Canada’s regions have unique energy circumstances; however, there is potential for shared action.”

Many of the recommended ‘action areas’ of the Changing the Climate report were incorporated into the collaborative agreement formed during the Conference.

“It was great to see consensus built on multiple key areas at the Conference,” said Legge. “Dialogue with additional stakeholders will continue to uncover more common ground.”