ST. ANDREWS — Canada's energy ministers concluded
their annual meeting in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, today and acknowledged
the direct impact that higher energy costs will have on all Canadians and some
sectors of the Canadian economy. Ministers called for a renewed commitment
to work collaboratively to ensure continued prosperity from Canada's energy
resources. Ministers also agreed to work together to enhance the security,
reliability and sustainability of Canada's energy systems.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable R. Bruce Fitch, Minister of Energy
for the Province of New Brunswick, and Deputy Minister Richard Fadden, on behalf
of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada, the Honourable R. John Efford.
Ministers also met with energy industry leaders representing the Energy Dialogue
Group and the Coalition of Industrial Energy Consumers to discuss energy supply
and demand issues and rising energy prices.
"We must work closer than ever to inform Canadians about their energy
options and how we are all working towards having a sustainable energy future," Minister
Fitch said. "To that end, the Council of Energy Ministers is perhaps more
important now than it has ever been."
"Canada has abundant energy resources and energy potential, and has benefited
greatly from competitive energy costs, supply and trade," said Deputy
Minister Fadden. "However, events such as Hurricane Katrina have focused
our attention on price increases and the potential for supply disruptions.
It is important that governments create the right environment to encourage
secure, reliable domestic supply. In addition, we must also reduce demand through
energy efficiency and move to a more sustainable future that includes cleaner
energy sources and investment in science and technology towards long-term solutions."
Minister Fitch said that the recent changes in the energy sector at the global
level have made it imperative to improve communications and cooperation between
governments in order to meet unprecedented challenges.
Ministers agreed that while Canada has a vast amount of energy potential — oil,
natural gas, hydro, coal, nuclear, wind, biomass, biofuels as well as other
renewable forms of energy — all Canadians must work together to
develop real and sustainable solutions to meet Canada's energy needs. Furthermore,
these solutions should be developed in a way that addresses environmental challenges
such as air quality and climate change, with conservation being a priority.
Ministers also discussed their respective energy policy frameworks. They acknowledged
the importance of relying on markets to guide consumer and investment decisions
related to energy. At the same time, governments will work together to improve
reliability by encouraging greater energy efficiency, more reliance on renewable
energy, the development of new energy technologies and new supply development.
Several Ministers indicated that they will be bringing forward energy strategies
over the coming months.
Ministers reiterated the importance of the work of the Council of Energy Ministers
and their Deputy Ministers' ongoing dialogue with industry energy representatives
and the various federal, provincial and territorial working groups to help
governments deliver on their respective energy strategies. To that end, Ministers
endorsed the continuation of technical work in the areas of conservation, energy
efficiency, energy technology, regulatory efficiency, reliability and renewable
energy and fuels.
Ministers also recognized the need to provide timely and accurate information
to Canadians to allow for informed decisions on energy supply options and conservation
practices.
Federal, provincial and territorial governments in Canada are committed to
ensuring that Canadians benefit from our natural resources — now
and in the future.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Energy ministers from across the country met in St. Andrews, New Brunswick,
today, where they committed to work together to ensure continued prosperity
from Canada's energy resources in a secure, reliable and sustainable manner.
They discussed energy strategies and the importance of collaborating with industry
to ensure Canada's energy future.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain Charron
Tom Ormsby
Media Relations
Director of Communications
Natural Resources Canada
Office of the Minister
Ottawa
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 992-4447
Ottawa
(613) 996-2007
Marc Belliveau
Director of Communications
Department of Energy, Fredericton
New Brunswick
(506) 444-5912
