2015 Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference

July 21, 2015 Halifax Natural Resources Canada

The federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for energy  and mines today announced significant progress supporting enhanced economic  growth, energy security, innovation, Aboriginal engagement and environmental  protection and performance with the objective of further increasing the environmentally  responsible development of natural resources across our country.

The ministers affirmed the critical importance of principles consistent  with recent annual meetings:

   
• Responsible development of Canada’s energy and  mines sectors is critical to our economic competitiveness, job creation and  long-term prosperity;
   
• The continued advancement of energy infrastructure  projects (including oil, gas, and electricity) is fundamental to gaining access  to new markets, generating economic growth and revenue for critical social  programs;
   
• Continued diversification of Canada’s energy sources  and markets contributes to domestic and global energy security;
   
• Recent successes implementing innovative  technologies and policies dealing with carbon and enhancing Canada’s leadership  as an environmentally  responsible global resource producer and supplier;
   
• Effective cooperation between governments,  regulators and industry is essential to continued improvements to build on Canada's  world class record of safe energy transportation and transmission;
   
• Effective engagement is essential for advancing the  objective of ensuring that Aboriginal people fully benefit from the responsible  development of natural resources; and
   
• The junior mining and resource sector is a major  contributor to Canada’s competitiveness and global expertise, and the  importance of access to capital in the discovery and development of the next  generation of resource projects is recognized.

 In particular, following this week’s meeting, the ministers emphasized the need  over the coming year to:

   
• Fully implement the federal Pipeline Safety Act that received Royal Assent in June 2015 and  continue consistent action by all governments within their respective  jurisdiction resulting in tangible measures that improve safety by pipeline, marine  and rail;
   
• Explore and encourage innovative technologies to  help Canadian natural resource industries address productivity challenges and  environmental performance;
   
• Ensure that standards for industry reflect the  highest level of environmental protection. This includes the review of  recommendations made subsequent to the Mount Polley incident in British  Columbia to determine how all jurisdictions can strengthen mine regulations;
   
• Continue to advance the National Orphaned/Abandoned  Mines Initiative, a multi-stakeholder forum that provides a platform for  sharing experiences and best practices in mine site remediation;
   
• Work within our respective jurisdictions to  maintain the momentum that has contributed to Canada’s becoming the second-fastest  growing clean energy market in the G20 and possessing the highest share of  renewables in its electricity mix in the G7;
   
• Enhance North American cooperation to protect  Canada’s competiveness while supporting jobs, the economy and the environment,  including through the North American Energy Ministers’ Working Group on Energy  and Climate Change established in May  2015;
   
• Enhance engagement with Aboriginal communities through  mechanisms like the Major Projects Management Office - West — and other  effective means — to share information, identify common interests and  facilitate their participation in natural resources;
   
• Increase federal-provincial-territorial cooperation  on highlighting Canada as a secure, reliable and responsible producer and  supplier of energy and minerals. This will effectively build on milestones over  the past year including leadership on the European Union Fuel Quality Directive  and mandatory reporting legislation;
   
• Work together in the interests of enhancing  Canada’s contribution to global energy security at home and abroad. According  to Statistics Canada, between 2005 and 2014, Canada’s crude oil imports declined  by 42 percent while our exports have increased by 81 percent. Projects such as  LNG and hydro proposals will continue this important momentum;
   
• Help Canadian energy and mining sectors address  environmental performance through the advancement and deployment of research,  technology and innovation;
   
• Ministers agreed to work together on initiatives to  provide and promote evidence-based public awareness on the development of  unconventional petroleum resources; and
   
• Collaborate on responsible energy use, which  provides cost savings to consumers and industry as well as contributing to  meeting environmental objectives.

Together, these actions will provide Canadians with increased economic  opportunities while protecting their safety, security and environment, build  Canada’s competitive advantage in a rapidly changing global marketplace, and  improve living standards for Canadians.  

Federal, provincial and territorial governments are committed to taking  collective actions to promote Canada’s role as a secure supplier of natural  resources globally and to ensure long-term economic stability and prosperity  for all Canadians.

The next Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference will take place from August  21 to August 23, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  

Quotes

“The outcomes of this meeting demonstrate that our partnership with the  provinces and territories is focused on creating results. Through these actions  and mutual interests, we are committing to further enhance jobs, economic  prosperity, energy security and the environment within our respective  jurisdictions for all Canadians.”

The  Honourable Greg Rickford,
Canada's Minister of  Natural Resources and
Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

“Working together, the federal, provincial and  territorial governments can achieve further economic success and a lower carbon  future from the responsible development of our energy sectors. During the  conference, we discussed the importance of advancing innovative research,  technology and regulation and developing our domestic expertise and supply  chain for the worldwide energy market.”

The Honourable Michel Samson
Nova Scotia’s Minister of  the Department of Energy

“It was a pleasure to host mines ministers from across Canada over the  past several days. The discussions at our meeting regarding best practices in  Canadian jurisdictions, particularly in the areas of building public confidence  in natural resource projects and creating the success factors for communities  to benefit from mineral resource developments, will help Nova Scotia and Canada  create the best possible environment for responsible mineral resource  development.”

The Honourable Zach  Churchill
Nova Scotia’s Minister of the  Department of Natural Resources

Associated Links

NRCan EMMC  Publications

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Contacts

Media  may contact:
Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and
Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern  Ontario
613-996-2007

 or

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