WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today delivered remarks hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. The Minister reinforced Canada’s position as the United States’ environmentally responsible energy supplier and enhancing our long-term economic prosperity and energy security with the approval of Keystone XL.
“Canada supports the Keystone XL project because it will enhance national security, create jobs and foster long-term economic prosperity for both of our countries,” said Minister Oliver. “Strengthening our bilateral energy collaboration would displace oil from Venezuela and the Middle East with a stable continental supply and thereby enhance the energy security of North America.”
Canada currently exports three million barrels a day of crude and petroleum products to the United States, of which one million barrels come from the oil sands. Projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicate that the U.S. will continue to import 3.4 million barrels by 2035. Canada is the United States’ environmentally responsible option to fulfill this need.
- Canada is aligned with the U.S. in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 – and estimates show we are halfway there.
- In some cases, such as coal-fired electricity plants, we have gone further than the United States. Canada is the only country in the world with regulations banning the construction of new coal-fired power plants that use traditional technology.
- Canada has introduced regulations that are aligned with the U.S. to reduce emissions from cars and light trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles; and
- Canada has committed to introducing regulations to further reduce GHG emissions in the oil and gas sector. Between 1990 and 2011, we reduced emissions per barrel of oil produced in the oil sands by 26 percent.
“Canada will continue to be the leading, most secure, reliable and competitive energy supplier to the United States,” said Minister Oliver. “Our two nations’ shared commitment to democracy, free markets and the rule of law underpin why Canada and the United States have the world’s most successful relationship.”
Canada will keep developing its natural resources for export to the United States and the fastest-growing regions of the world in a way that ensures the environment is protected.
While in Washington, Minister Oliver will also meet with senior government officials, including Sally Jewel, Secretary of the Interior; Robert Hormats, State Department Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment; Senator Robert Wyden, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee; and Representative Fred Upton, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
