NewAlert: Premiers sign energy strategy

Alberta, he said, was not looking for less regulation for pipelines.

Agreement on a national plan to guide future energy projects while also protecting the environment has been on the premiers’ agenda since 2012. But the idea comes deep into the document, and the words “bitumen”, or “oilsands” aren’t even mentioned, even though they are the Canadian energy source that pays the rent.

He said the provinces and territories expect Quebec to increase their buying power when it joins.

“Premiers discussed the… growing financial pressures population aging will have on their governments, particularly regarding health care”, reads the statement.

Outside the meeting, a small demonstration called attention to medicare funding.

These include the Energy East pipeline proposed by TransCanada Corp, which is also trying to build the controversial Keystone XL pipeline through the United States.

The oil-producing province of Alberta originally conceived the strategy as a way to ensure that it could move its fuel to market. Western Canada Select has fetched $14 a barrel less than West Texas Intermediate on average over the past year.

The strategy provides a framework for the premiers to work on strengthening the energy industry, and address the need to act on climate change. They want the Canadian Forces to receive additional training in fighting forest fires, and resources and equipment to combat fires to be shared between provinces.

“Nothing in this strategy…allows us to cut corners in order to approve projects”, he said.

The premiers will instead commit generally to having the “necessary pipelines” in place and expediting regulatory decisions, the Globe and Mail, citing a draft of the plan, reported Monday. Alberta, Canada’s heaviest emitter, was in an election campaign and not among those to sign. Meanwhile, B.C. and Saskatchewan agreed to allow wine and specialty spirits to flow more easily between them.

Wynne says this is an issue of a strong economy and strong environmental protection and those two things are not mutually exclusive. “I can tell you that in Quebec we have a different perspective on this”.

Paul Davis, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, said the provincial and territorial leaders made strides Thursday but need more time.

Barlow said the “bedrock of a Canadian energy strategy” should halt extreme energy expansion, better regulate the oil and gas industry, shift subsidies to climate solutions and support jobs that reduce the climate footprint.

“Manitoba has always supported a Canadian energy strategy towards supporting Canada’s position as an energy superpower, strengthening Canada’s domestic energy linkages and security, and ensuring sustainable and responsible development of Canada’s energy resources”, Rampersad said in an email.