Harper Government Supports Partnerships for Responsible Resource Development

News Release

Minister Sorenson participates in panel at the 64th Annual Oilmen’s Business Forum

August 20, 2014
Banff, Alberta
Natural Resources Canada

The Honourable Kevin Sorenson, Canada’s Minister of State (Finance), today participated in a panel discussion at the 64th Oilmen’s Business Forum in Banff, Alberta, with Ian Anderson, President of Kinder Morgan Canada; Doug Eyford, Partner at Eyford Macaulay Shaw & Padmanabhan LLP and formerly the Government of Canada’s Special Federal Representative on West Coast Energy Infrastructure; and Dan Wicklum, Chief Executive of Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA).

During the panel discussion, Minister Sorenson highlighted the Government’s plan for Responsible Resource Development. In particular, he emphasized the importance of collaborating with Aboriginal communities on resource projects and increasing their participation in pipeline safety operations.

In his remarks, Minister Sorenson noted a number of new measures to strengthen engagement with Aboriginal Peoples, including the creation of the Major Projects Management Office West, work toward the establishment of an tripartite forum, and the Government’s recent announcements regarding marine and pipeline safety.

Following the panel, Minister Sorenson participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) on such topics as market access, the importance of partnership with Aboriginal communities, fiscal and regulatory competitiveness, and the availability of labour.

Background Facts

In 2012, more than 13,500 Aboriginal people worked in the Canadian energy sector.
According to the Public Policy Forum, over 400,000 Aboriginal youth will be entering the workforce in the next decade, creating an unprecedented opportunity to address the need for new workers in the oil and gas industry.
The Conference Board of Canada estimates that B.C.’s natural gas sector could attract more than $180 billion in investment between now and 2035, and Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples have a major role to play in this development.
The Government’s plan for Responsible Resource Development is enhancing Aboriginal consultation for proposed projects by ensuring early consideration of the potential impacts of natural resource development on Aboriginal Peoples.
Canada has a safe and reliable energy transportation system, and the Government is taking steps to improve and expand it in the areas of prevention, preparedness and liability. These steps include new measures to strengthen safety regimes for pipelines, tankers, offshore, rail and nuclear energy.

Quotes

“Canada stands at a pivotal moment where it must develop new markets for its energy resources to ensure continued growth and prosperity for Canada for decades to come. The best way to achieve our goals is through partnerships, meaningful engagement and ongoing dialogue among key partners including industry, Aboriginal communities and governments. Responsible development of our energy resources and construction of the necessary infrastructure to get them to market will lead to hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity, hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in tax revenues that fund critical social programs.”

Kevin Sorenson
Canada’s Minister of State (Finance)

“Governments, Aboriginal Peoples, industry, communities and other interests must engage more collaboratively and develop stronger partnerships if Canadians are to realize the potential benefits of responsible development of our abundant energy resources. This conference provided an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences and to discuss potential actions to improve collaboration and strengthen partnerships going forward.”

Dave Collyer
President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

Associated Links

Contacts

Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources and
Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
613-996-2007

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447

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Harper Government Supports Partnerships for Responsible Resource Development

News Release

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