May 25, 2012
SHERWOOD PARK, ALBERTA - The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, addressed the Alberta Chambers of Commerce to discuss the impact of Responsible Resource Development in Alberta and communities across the country.
"Our government is focused on opportunities - opportunities for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Minister Oliver. "The plan for Responsible Resource Development will make our project review processes more effective, efficient, timely and predictable, while ensuring rigorous, world-class environmental protection."
Minister Oliver added that the economic impacts of the energy industry are felt in every region across Canada. "Everywhere I go, I talk about the difference our resource industries make in the lives of Canadians every day, in every town and city and rural community in the country. It's essential that we all understand just how important these industries are to maintaining the tremendous quality of life we enjoy in this country," said the Minister.
As part of Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government introduced Responsible Resource Development (RRD) to modernize Canada's federal regulatory regime to attract investment, create jobs, build long-term prosperity and encourage national competitiveness. In doing so, the Government of Canada will continue to focus on the environment and clean energy initiatives across the country.
"In February of this year, Premier Redford and I signed an MOU that will bring our cooperation on oil sands research to a whole new level," said Minister Oliver. "We are working with the province to bring government, industry, academia and other research organizations together in a cluster of expertise to support excellence in innovation and the responsible development of the oil sands."
The Minister also took the opportunity to meet with Premier Redford to discuss responsible resource development and its benefits for Alberta and to announce more than $1.2 million in funding for Edmonton-based Christenson Developments Ltd. from the Market Development Incentive Payments Fund and the Clean Energy Fund.
"We and our energy partners look forward to teaming with NRCan to improve the sustainability of our 19-acre townhouse community in the established neighbourhood of Hazeldean," said Greg Christenson, President, Christenson Developments Ltd. "This will fund a natural gas-fuelled, co-generation and geothermal system designed to reduce utility costs for seniors and working families."
The company will demonstrate the use of natural gas to provide both heat and power to half of an existing 236-unit townhouse community.
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