“Energy in Canada is not only oil and gas, it’s also renewables, particularly hydroelectricity, in our case”, he said.
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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.
The federal government was much criticized for refusing to participate in the discussions about a national energy strategy.
Notley said no premiers asked for profit-sharing or a cut of Alberta’s royalty revenues in exchange for pipeline access.
“It will be about the state of the country and how are we going to interact with the federal election and then the parties”, she said of the Council of the Federation conference that formally begins Wednesday in St. John’s.
“It will be important for the provinces to come together and lay out what their umbrella strategy is”, he said by phone Monday.
The “Northern Gateway” pipeline is tough enough and it only has to get to the Pacific Ocean across British Columbia. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said the agreement “will provide Alberta with a very helpful and constructive framework for collaborating with jurisdictions across Canada”.
And while the Canadian Energy Strategy nearly certainly won’t produce the fast-tracking of energy infrastructure projects that former Premier Redford wanted to see, it might help push past the resistance that’s been holding them up.
“This Premier-led development will help to strengthen and modernize internal trade in Canada”, the release explains.
“I’m not at all fussed that the strategy might or might not have any specific, binding outcomes”, Kenny said in an interview.
New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant said much is riding on a national plan that would set guidelines for new projects, such as the proposed Energy East pipeline.
After years of delays and tension – and without the input of the prime minister – Canada’s provincial and territorial leaders have finally struck a deal that attempts to balance the country’s oil and gas industry with climate change. “I can tell you that in Quebec we have a different perspective on this”.
Wynne says this is an issue of a strong economy and strong environmental protection and those two things are not mutually exclusive.
The premiers touted the energy strategy, in a joint news release, as “a demonstration of their commitment to strengthening the economy, creating jobs, ensuring a secure supply of energy for all Canadians, supporting energy innovation and addressing climate change”.
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, whose government has said Energy East must meet seven conditions before being allowed through the province, sounded conciliatory and mindful of the Lac-Megantic oil-by-rail disaster in his province in 2013.
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Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall pushed the economic importance of the oil and gas industry throughout talks, often finding himself at odds with his counterparts who wanted greater emphasis on environmental responsibility. Notley spokeswoman Cheryl Oates declined to comment.
