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With Canada’s premiers agreeing to an energy strategy that is similar to what Ottawa has been pushing for years, the political classes seem to be in agreement that energy and its alter ego, climate change, should be at the top of the national agenda.
It’s a big achievement for a policy area that has been a minefield for Canada in the past. Will we finally make it happen? It won’t be easy given the reality on the ground, which is rife with conflict over energy-expansion plans.
From the City of Burnaby, B.C., fighting Kinder Morgan’s TransMountain expansion plans, to aboriginals mobilizing against all manner of energy infrastructure, to communities refusing to accept fracking to unlock natural gas, to anti-oil activists agitating to keep the oil sands in the ground, to disagreement over what needs to be done about climate change — a cacophony of special interests has been pushing priorities they believe are more important than the greater good.
They have chosen the streets, the courts, the regulatory system to press their case, and been pretty successful at it. Important projects have been delayed. Investors are getting nervous.
But last week’s provincial agreement has the potential to reset the debate by reminding us what Canada stands for — a moderate approach that strikes a balance between promoting energy development and improving environmental protection.
The breakthrough came at the annual premiers’ meeting in Charlottetown, where Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial leaders unanimously agreed to support a national energy strategy.
Much credit goes to Quebec’s newly elected premier, Philippe Couillard, for jumping on board a plan first championed by Alberta that will strengthen Canada domestically and globally, as well as to Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, for being the first to support such a plan without demanding something in return.
There are several objectives of the strategy: Reflect the shared values of Canadians; strengthen the economy and create jobs; identify opportunities to develop, transport, and transmit energy; maintain the highest degree of environmental safeguards and protection, including by addressing climate change, climate resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally; promote a competitive economy and robust research and technology sector that can contribute to the breadth of Canada’s energy and environmental opportunities and responsibilities; promote export of energy, expertise and innovation, and; support a diverse range of energy assets.
For the rest of this column, click here: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/09/02/resetting-the-energy-debate-wont-be-easy-despite-premiers-pact/?__lsa=6c48-0a6e