Minister Rickford Highlights Importance of the Energy Sector to Southern Ontario

News Release

Chatham-Kent, Ontario – Natural Resources Canada

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, accompanied by Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent–Essex, today delivered remarks to the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, where he discussed Canada’s role as a secure and reliable supplier of energy.

During his address, the Minister highlighted priorities for Canada, including energy market diversification, improving environmental stewardship and responsible energy use, and engaging Aboriginal communities in the development of Canada’s natural resources. He emphasized the need to continually strengthen these areas in order to maximize economic opportunities for Canada on a global level.

The Minister also underscored the Government’s plan for Responsible Resource Development, which is helping to create jobs, growth and prosperity by modernizing the regulatory system for project review, enhancing energy safety and security, and advancing infrastructure development across the country.

Quick Facts

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that, by 2035, global demand for energy will increase by one-third.
In 2013, the energy sector contributed $175 billion, or 9.9 percent, of Canada’s total gross domestic product.
Over the next 25 years, the responsible development of Canada’s energy resources will generate billions of dollars in economic activity, hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in tax revenues to fund critical social programs like health care, education and old age pensions.
The Government of Canada is taking action to lower emissions, while growing Canada’s economy. In 2012, emissions were 5.1 percent lower than 2005 levels, while the economy grew by 10.6 percent during the same period
The IEA recently ranked Canada second globally in terms of energy efficiency improvements, with a 23.4 percent improvement between 1990 and 2011.

Quotes

Global energy markets are changing, and the growing demand for energy is at an all-time high. Our government is working with governments, industry and Aboriginal communities to meet that demand by developing our resources responsibly and by enhancing our position as a stable, secure and reliable supplier of energy to the world.

Greg Rickford
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

Contacts

Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
613-996-2007

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447

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2016-12-14

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Minister Rickford Highlights Importance of the Energy Sector to Southern Ontario

News Release

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