Without sound climate policies Canada can’t develop strong green economy, say experts
Canada, a world leader in traditional energy reserves, is falling behind in its level of competitiveness in emerging global energy markets, says a leading environmentalist. “We’re not moving quickly enough. Not as quickly as Europe, as China—we’re in a situation where others are claiming the terrain,” Clare Demerse, director of climate change at the Pembina […]
Rural Canada’s boom-and-bust industries moving to green economy
Commercial projects in the renewable production of biofuels and electricity are emerging as potential saviours for some of rural Canada’s boom-and-bust economies. However, some critics argue that federal incentives don’t go far enough in fast-tracking Canada’s transition to a green economy. In May of this year, Los Angeles-based Rentech-Clearfuels and the government of Ontario announced […]
Oliver wants Canada to be leader in green technology development
As Canada’s federal Natural Resources minister, newly-elected Conservative MP Joe Oliver faces the difficult challenge of defending some the government’s most controversial policies. In his first month on the NRCan portfolio, Minister Oliver (Eglinton-Lawrence, Ont.) has already had to publicly support Canada’s asbestos industry, the feds’ sale of AECL, and Enbridge’s planned Northern Gateway Pipeline […]
Energy experts hopeful new NRCan Minister will continue to diversify Canada’s energy portfolio
Renewable energy proponents say they are optimistic that new Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver can provide the leadership for a national clean energy strategy, but his wealth of investment experience will be tested by cutbacks in funding for research and development. Prior to entering federal politics, Mr. Oliver worked for more than 30 years in […]
Canada needs a sustainable energy strategy
In 2011, Canada stands at a peculiar crossroads for a country with immense supplies of both conventional and renewable energy. While the Harper government has trumpeted Canada as a “clean energy superpower,” the truth is that there is no overarching plan to ensure energy sustainability in Canada. This government’s leadership vacuum has left Canada with […]
Wood pellet heating: simple solutions can be sustainable
The people of Canada’s North need real answers to the high cost of living. Saving on energy is one of the answers. Twenty-six per cent of the total energy use in the Northwest Territories in 2009 was for heating and mostly for using heating oil (diesel), a fuel shipped, stored and consumed at great expense. […]
Kent estimates Canada is ‘a quarter of way’ to meeting 2020 GHG emissions targets
Environment Minister Peter Kent has been in his Cabinet role for more than six months, but with a new majority government, “the jury is still out” on his track record in the portfolio, says environmental lawyer Adam Chamberlain, a partner in law firm Borden Ladner Gervais. “It will be interesting to see how things evolve […]
Feds shouldn’t be in business of picking winners and losers in energy technology, say critics
When it comes to government investment in sustainable technology, Canada’s natural resources offer a wealth of options to capitalize on, but the feds shouldn’t be in the business of picking winners and losers when it comes to energy technology, say some energy policy pundits. “When you’re talking about technology, and clean energy technologies, it’s very […]
No plans to abandon nuclear energy in Canada, despite public concerns and costly upgrades
While some Western countries have announced plans to abandon nuclear power after a series of nuclear meltdowns at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear facility earlier this year, Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission insist that similar measures are unnecessary in Canada. Germany and Switzerland have already announced that they will abandon nuclear power over […]
Senate Committee on Energy, Economy and Natural Resources renews mandate to investigate Canada’s energy future
Since beginning its investigation into the current and future status of Canada’s energy sector in the summer of 2009, the Senate’s Standing Committee on Energy, the Economy and Natural Resources has been an under-recognized wealth of information on the country’s energy supply and demand. Over the past two years the committee has heard testimony from […]
