Meetings of Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial energy ministers last week in Winnipeg underscored the need to ensure economic growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, says P.E.I.’s Energy Minister Paula Biggar.
As part of their meetings, the ministers agreed on the importance of strengthening public confidence in the energy and mining sectors through enhanced community engagement, science and evidence-based decision-making, robust regulatory frameworks and improving environmental performance.
Biggar says P.E.I. is looking to do more to develop clean and innovative technologies.
“While producing sustainable and renewable energy is a critical part of our future, it is important that we first reduce the amount of energy we are required to produce,” she said.
“We need to build a better energy system and our effort in energy efficiency and conservation is the absolute first step.”
In the area of energy efficiency, ministers agreed to a framework and action plan on energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment, which can lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Canada.
On electricity and strategic infrastructure, ministers agreed to explore collaboration on new and enhanced inter-jurisdictional electricity transmission interties, smart electricity grids and charging or refuelling stations for alternative-fuel vehicles, which can be a key tool in supporting clean growth, opening up new markets and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The energy ministers also exchanged perspectives with Indigenous peoples about some of the challenges and opportunities related to energy and mineral development and regulation.
“P.E.I. sees engagement and collaboration as the most important and the most effective method of improving public confidence,” Biggar said.
“It is critical that we ensure that all the work that we do to ensure the success of our resources sectors happens with the fullest support of the people we serve.”
Canada’s energy ministers will meet again in August 2017 in St. Andrews, N.B.
Meetings of Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial energy ministers last week in Winnipeg underscored the need to ensure economic growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, says P.E.I.’s Energy Minister Paula Biggar.
As part of their meetings, the ministers agreed on the importance of strengthening public confidence in the energy and mining sectors through enhanced community engagement, science and evidence-based decision-making, robust regulatory frameworks and improving environmental performance.
Biggar says P.E.I. is looking to do more to develop clean and innovative technologies.
“While producing sustainable and renewable energy is a critical part of our future, it is important that we first reduce the amount of energy we are required to produce,” she said.
“We need to build a better energy system and our effort in energy efficiency and conservation is the absolute first step.”
In the area of energy efficiency, ministers agreed to a framework and action plan on energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment, which can lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Canada.
On electricity and strategic infrastructure, ministers agreed to explore collaboration on new and enhanced inter-jurisdictional electricity transmission interties, smart electricity grids and charging or refuelling stations for alternative-fuel vehicles, which can be a key tool in supporting clean growth, opening up new markets and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The energy ministers also exchanged perspectives with Indigenous peoples about some of the challenges and opportunities related to energy and mineral development and regulation.
“P.E.I. sees engagement and collaboration as the most important and the most effective method of improving public confidence,” Biggar said.
“It is critical that we ensure that all the work that we do to ensure the success of our resources sectors happens with the fullest support of the people we serve.”
Canada’s energy ministers will meet again in August 2017 in St. Andrews, N.B.
