Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Renewable Fuels

Gatineau , Québec – February 21, 2007—Provincial and Territorial Ministers and their representatives met in Quebec today to discuss a number of issues regarding the emerging renewable fuels industry. The meeting was held in follow up to the Federal/Provincial/Territorial meeting held in Regina, Saskatchewan in May 2006, and was attended by Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Chuck Strahl.

British Columbia , Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunavut voiced their common concern that the development of Canada’s renewable fuel strategy is falling behind the advances of other jurisdictions. These governments are interested in working together to arrive at a solution that works for all governments in Canada.

Governments noted that, as countries become more aware of the environmental and economic benefits offered by renewable fuels, global demand is rapidly expanding.

The governments committed to work with the federal government to establish an environment for development of the industry that would:

   
• Be competitive with the programming and tax treatment offered for renewable fuel development in other countries, particularly the United States (U.S.);
   
• Recognize regional interests in any approach taken to develop the industry across Canada; and
   
• Encourage regional economic development that supports the new industry.

Provincial and territorial governments noted that U.S. President George Bush recently proposed to increase that country’s renewable fuel requirement by nearly five fold. China has also committed to achieving 20 per cent renewable fuels levels by the year 2020.

They acknowledged Minister Strahl’s commitment and leadership to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with provinces and territories.

Governments also committed to meet as a group with the federal government in the near future in order to continue advancing the industry. The provinces and Nunavut agreed that Canada must take steps to become a major global player in the development and production of renewable fuels.

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For more information, contact:

Scott Brown
Director, Communications
Saskatchewan Regional Economic and Co-operative Development
Phone: (306) 787-4031