August 28, 2012
CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO - The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, today visited the Aecon Group Inc. facility in Cambridge to meet with employees and discuss the benefits of Responsible Resource Development. Joined by Harold Albrecht, MP for Kitchener-Conestoga, Dave Mackenzie, MP for Oxford, and Phil McColeman, MP for Brant, Minister Oliver toured the 120,000-square foot facility with John Beck, Aecon's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, to see the company's broad range of fabrication work, which serves Canada's nuclear and oil and gas industry, including the Alberta oil sands.
"Aecon is an excellent example of how important the energy sector is to Canada's economy, generating jobs for Canadians in every region of our great nation," said Minister Oliver. "Like Aecon, our Government is focused on making the most of economic opportunities - opportunities for jobs, growth and prosperity - for all Canadians. Through the Government's plan for Responsible Resource Development, we will help Canada develop its tremendous natural resources to the benefit of Canadians in communities from coast to coast to coast."
Over the next 10 years, more than $500 billion could be invested in 500 resource development projects across Canada.
"This represents a huge potential for companies, like Aecon, which service our abundant natural resources industry," said Minister Oliver. "Responsible Resource Development will ensure we capitalize on these investments to provide opportunities to Canadian companies, their workers and their families."
The natural resources sector employs close to 800,000 Canadians. These industries alone pay tens of billions of dollars a year in government revenues to help pay for health care, education and other vital services that are a fundamental part of our quality of life.
Responsible Resources Development will modernize Canada's regulatory system through its four pillars: making project reviews more predictable and timely; reducing duplication of project reviews; strengthening environmental protection; and enhancing consultations with Aboriginal peoples.
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