Putting Our Canada Pants On
The CPA attended the Energy Council of Canada’s (ECC) Western Regional
Forum on May 9 in Regina, SK. The event was comprised of four
panels of speakers from across Canada to discuss pathways to clean
energy by 2050.
The Hon. Dustin Duncan, Minister of Energy and
Resources, SK, the Hon. Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, Minister of Energy, AB
and the Hon. Cliff Cullen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, MB
participated in the ECC’s first panel. The discussion began with each minister addressing a shift to clean energy via the development of
renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, wind and hydro) in each of
their respective provinces.
Calgary Herald Business Columnist
Deborah Yedlin moderated the panel discussion, where she questioned the
ability of the western provinces, and ultimately Canada, to have
coordinated policies on such issues as a carbon tax and moving electricity produced from low-carbon sources such as hydro dams across provincial boarders.
Minister McCuaig-Boyd affirmed that we need to "put our Canada pants on"
when it comes to identifying pathways to clean energy; the panel agreed
the issue merited further discussion, but admitted negotiations may be
difficult due to each province’s unique natural resources.
Other
panel topics included energy transformation, climate policy, and a
regional electricity grid. By the end of forum, attendees gained a
better understanding about the regional differences and regulatory
uncertainties that exist and which must be addressed to create a united
and decarbonized energy supply for Canada.