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Environmental Technologies

Western Canadian Environmental Technology Forum
Vancouver, British Columbia
December 5, 2003

Paul Martin speaks with Forum delegates during the morning plenary session on December 5, 2003.

 

Paul Martin answers questions from some 40 journalists on the morning of the Forum, along with then Secretary of State Stephen Owen (left)

A great deal was accomplished during this intense day-long forum. Environmental technology leaders from all sectors of the economy and across the West met face-to-face for the first time, to develop a summary of the strengths and challenges that western Canadian firms in this field face.

Participants developed a list of “enablers” - which they defined as a technology or resource that clears some road blocks and allows a company to market their product much more easily than without it - to advance this industry in Western Canada and beyond. Forum participants agreed to continue the dialogue toward an action plan for how best to take advantage of the important opportunities that this promising industry represents.

The enablers put forward at the Forum include:

• Fiscal and tax incentives, particularly for those who are willing to adopt environmental technologies in the earliest stages of commercialization
  
• Consistent and supportive regulatory and policy mechanisms across all levels of government
  
• Centres of excellence that are market-driven and would house “best practices” in the field of environmental technologies
  
• Demonstration projects that expand our understanding of environmental technologies and pave the way for development of new products
  
• Market intelligence, particularly about countries with large populations that represent significant market potential, as well as expertise in marketing to help those who develop the technologies to bring them to consumers.

Academics, leaders of industry and non-governmental organizations, and government officials discuss how to facilitate collaborative action, improve adaptation oenvironmental technologies, and expand international markets during a breakout session in the afternoon of the Forum.

Industry leaders were adamant that the development of products should respond to "market pull" - a specific demand from a specific group of consumers - rather than being driven purely by technology. In other words, technologies should be developed because people need and want them, because they will improve our quality of life, and not simply because we have the knowledge and capacity to create something.

The discussion at the Forum was captured in a synthesis report. The dialogue sessions leading up to the Forum were summarized in provincial summaries as well as a Western Canada overview report. This information is available using the links below:

Western Canadian Environmental Technology Forum Synthesis Report
HTML | PDF

Report on the Environmental Technology Sector in Western Canada
[Full Report] [Summary]

Regional Consultation Summaries
[British Columbia] [Alberta] [Saskatchewan] [Manitoba]

Factsheet on WD Investment in Environmental Technologies
[Factsheet]

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