JOHN’S, N.L. – The premier of British Columbia says Canada’s premiers have made “significant” progress towards a national energy strategy and a deal could be released today.
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The strategy’s priorities? Energy efficiency, new and enhanced transportation infrastructure, greenhouse gas reduction and transition to a lower carbon economy, technology and innovation.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall launched a vigorous defence of the energy industry on Wednesday, saying he is growing concerned that oil and gas development is increasingly being viewed as a liability by the rest of the country.
“But my point coming into this meeting, is what I would like – and not just from a document but from all of us as Canadians – is to reflect on the fact that we have this great resource”. “We might apply it differently in each of our provinces, but we [should] have a commitment to each other that we’re going to use this set of principles to responsibly develop our resources and get them to the markets they need to get to”. “We only have one customer for this product so far”.
But Wall said a chapter of the strategy on moving oil across the country mentions energy self-sufficiency and adding value to what is exported, which won him over.
The notion of a Canadian energy strategy came about in 2012 under then-Alberta premier Alison Redford.
Among the attendees at the meeting will be Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, whose New Democrats won government in the province for the first time in May after campaigning on increasing corporate taxes, reviewing energy royalties and raising the minimum wage.
Notley said pipelines are still the safest way to transport oil and gas, and safety is part of the energy strategy.
The national strategy was announced as Nexen Energy apologized for a five million litre pipeline spill of bitumen, water and sand southeast of Fort McMurray, Alta. Harper’s refusal to renew the Canada Health Accord past year has led to deep cuts to hospitals and health care across the country and paved the way for a patchwork of provincial and territorial systems that provide differential access based on where people live and their ability to pay.
The Premiers, including Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Newfoundland Premier Paul Davis and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger, added their names to a giant prescription form, prescribing federal leaders a healthy dose of phamacare. “And that is, for me, that’s the foundational work of this document”. Going into the meeting Wall aggressively defended the energy industry, something he continued to do at Friday’s press conference.
Some environmental groups panned the energy strategy Canada’s premiers signed on Friday, but at least one saw some reason for optimism. “We look forward to working with the provinces and territories as we advance in our co-operation”.
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Yet, any strategy that focuses on integrating energy development, environmental issues and other matters is welcome, said Brenda Kenny, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, whose members include Enbridge, TransCanada and Kinder Morgan.
