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Canada’s Ministers of Energy and Mines Announce Priorities for Upcoming Year

By www.mininglifeonline.net staff

Jul 24, 2015

The federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for energy and mines met in Halifax, Nova Scotia earlier this week and announced significant progress supporting enhanced economic growth, energy security, innovation, Aboriginal engagement and environmental protection and performance with the objective of further increasing the environmentally responsible development of natural resources across our country.

 “The outcomes of this meeting demonstrate that our partnership with the provinces and territories is focused on creating results,” said Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources.

 

Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mining Michael Gravel (left), Greg Rickford Canada's Minister of Natural Resources (centre) photo NRCan

“Through these actions and mutual interests, we are committing to further enhance jobs, economic prosperity, energy security and the environment within our respective jurisdictions for all Canadians.”

The ministers affirmed the critical importance of principles consistent with recent annual meetings:

  • Responsible development of Canada’s energy and mines sectors is critical to our economic competitiveness, job creation and long-term prosperity;
  • The continued advancement of energy infrastructure projects (including oil, gas, and electricity) is fundamental to gaining access to new markets, generating economic growth and revenue for critical social programs;
  • Continued diversification of Canada’s energy sources and markets contributes to domestic and global energy security;
  • Recent successes implementing innovative technologies and policies dealing with carbon and enhancing Canada’s leadership as an environmentally responsible global resource producer and supplier;
  • Effective cooperation between governments, regulators and industry is essential to continued improvements to build on Canada's world class record of safe energy transportation and transmission;
  • Effective engagement is essential for advancing the objective of ensuring that Aboriginal people fully benefit from the responsible development of natural resources; and
  • The junior mining and resource sector is a major contributor to Canada’s competitiveness and global expertise, and the importance of access to capital in the discovery and development of the next generation of resource projects is recognized.

In particular, following this week’s meeting, the ministers emphasized the need over the coming year to:

  • Fully implement the federal Pipeline Safety Act that received Royal Assent in June 2015 and continue consistent action by all governments within their respective jurisdiction resulting in tangible measures that improve safety by pipeline, marine and rail;
  • Explore and encourage innovative technologies to help Canadian natural resource industries address productivity challenges and environmental performance;
  • Ensure that standards for industry reflect the highest level of environmental protection. This includes the review of recommendations made subsequent to the Mount Polley incident in British Columbia to determine how all jurisdictions can strengthen mine regulations;
  • Continue to advance the National Orphaned/Abandoned Mines Initiative, a multi-stakeholder forum that provides a platform for sharing experiences and best practices in mine site remediation;
  • Work within our respective jurisdictions to maintain the momentum that has contributed to Canada’s becoming the second-fastest growing clean energy market in the G20 and possessing the highest share of renewables in its electricity mix in the G7;
  • Enhance North American cooperation to protect Canada’s competiveness while supporting jobs, the economy and the environment, including through the North American Energy Ministers’ Working Group on Energy and Climate Change established in May 2015;
  • Enhance engagement with Aboriginal communities through mechanisms like the Major Projects Management Office - West — and other effective means — to share information, identify common interests and facilitate their participation in natural resources;
  • Increase federal-provincial-territorial cooperation on highlighting Canada as a secure, reliable and responsible producer and supplier of energy and minerals. This will effectively build on milestones over the past year including leadership on the European Union Fuel Quality Directive and mandatory reporting legislation;
  • Work together in the interests of enhancing Canada’s contribution to global energy security at home and abroad. According to Statistics Canada, between 2005 and 2014, Canada’s crude oil imports declined by 42 percent while our exports have increased by 81 percent. Projects such as LNG and hydro proposals will continue this important momentum;
  • Help Canadian energy and mining sectors address environmental performance through the advancement and deployment of research, technology and innovation;
  • Ministers agreed to work together on initiatives to provide and promote evidence-based public awareness on the development of unconventional petroleum resources; and
  • Collaborate on responsible energy use, which provides cost savings to consumers and industry as well as contributing to meeting environmental objectives.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Together, these actions will provide Canadians with increased economic opportunities while protecting their safety, security and environment, build Canada’s competitive advantage in a rapidly changing global marketplace, and improve living standards for Canadians. 

Federal, provincial and territorial governments are committed to taking collective actions to promote Canada’s role as a secure supplier of natural resources globally and to ensure long-term economic stability and prosperity for all Canadians.

The next Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference will take place from August 21 to August 23, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.