May 28, 2012
TORONTO, ONTARIO - The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, today delivered the keynote address at the 8th annual Energy Matters Summit, where he emphasized the importance of energy to ensuring Canada's continued economic growth and environmental responsibility.
Minister Oliver announced that the Government of Canada is investing an additional $184 million in the ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative. This brings the total for the initiative to $281 million, over five years, to help advance energy innovation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs across Canada.
"Investments in energy efficiency and energy technologies ensure that we balance our need for energy with our need to protect the environment," said Minister Oliver. "We believe there exists a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with industry and academia to advance innovative energy technologies and energy efficiency on a broader scale."
The summit is organized by the Region of Peel in partnership with the Independent Electricity System Operator and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. This year's theme is "Building Partnerships for a Sustainable Energy Future," with a focus on energy efficiency in buildings, integrated community energy solutions and smart grid electricity systems.
Improving energy efficiency is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to save energy, create jobs, increase energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of Canada's ecoENERGY Efficiency Initiatives are investing $195 million to improve energy efficiency in Canada - at home, at work and on the road.
"The opportunities for improved energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy are enormous," said Minister Oliver. "When Canadians invest in energy efficiency, jobs are created in manufacturing, distribution, sales, design and installation industries across the country."
Minister Oliver also underscored the importance of Canadian communities in advancing clean energy innovation, which account for an estimated 60 percent of national energy consumption.
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Media may contact:
Patricia Best
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
613-996-2007
or
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ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative
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