WHITEHORSE - Canada's energy ministers concluded their
annual meeting yesterday by confirming their ongoing commitment to improving
collaboration between jurisdictions to better address energy issues of concern
to Canadians.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural
Resources Canada, and the Honourable Archie Lang, Yukon Minister of Energy,
Mines and Resources.
Given the projected growth in Canada's energy production to meet demand for
both domestic use and export over the next two decades, the ministers emphasized
that energy supply, infrastructure, efficiency and conservation options must be
developed in a timely and responsible manner. The ministers committed to
ensuring that Canadians have a secure, reliable and competitively priced supply
of energy that maximizes economic benefits and minimizes environmental impacts.
"Canada is an emerging energy superpower. Our energy sector is prosperous and
innovative, and we are exploring new methods and technologies to produce cleaner
energy," said Minister Lunn. "The agreements reached today are critical to
Canada's approach to energy and to addressing the environmental challenges
resulting from increasing energy demand in Canada."
"The approach being taken by the Council of Energy Ministers to work
collaboratively with industry will help Canada secure investment in, and support
for, new, clean and efficient energy supplies," said Minister Lang. "Ministers
today recognize that developing more sustainable energy supplies will require
additional infrastructure like pipelines and electricity transmission
lines."
Ministers reviewed a new model of technology collaboration that would bring
together industry, academia and governments in public/private partnerships to
strengthen the development and demonstration of energy technologies. The model
focuses on priority technologies needed to deliver a secure, prosperous and
clean energy future and will link with other domestic and international
programs. Ministers asked their officials to continue to develop the model so
that it can be finalized in early 2007.
Ministers also identified the need for further work in the area of regulatory
efficiency. They tasked their officials to identify and develop pilot projects
demonstrating the effectiveness of single-window approaches for regulatory
processes. Ministers were also strongly supportive of setting timelines for the
environmental assessment and permitting of energy projects.
As a follow-up to a federal, provincial and territorial meeting held in
Regina in May 2006, the ministers discussed recommendations for a bio-fuels
strategy in preparation for a dedicated intergovernmental meeting planned for
November 2006.
Given consumer concerns with rising energy prices, efficiency, conservation,
supply and reliability, the ministers also discussed the growing importance of
ensuring that Canadians have access to reliable information about energy and
energy issues. Ministers agreed to work together on energy awareness and public
outreach to help Canadians better understand the challenges of energy supply and
demand, and make informed decisions about their energy choices and consumption
patterns.
The ministers agreed to reconvene in early 2007 to confirm
progress on identified priorities and prepare for the next Council of Energy
Ministers' Meeting to be held in September 2007 in Whistler, British Columbia.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Energy ministers from the Government of Canada, the provinces and the
territories have confirmed their commitment to improving collaboration to
address energy challenges in Canada. Meeting in Whitehorse yesterday, they
agreed to focus their efforts on energy supply, infrastructure, efficiency and
conservation options.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain Charron Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada Ottawa 613-992-4447
Emma Welford Director of Communications
Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada Ottawa
613- 996-1471
Peter Carr Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon 867-667-8688 peter.carr@gov.yk.ca
Bonnie King Director of Communications
Energy, Mines and Resources 867-667-5307 bonnie.king@gov.yk.ca
