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Video Message
The Honourable Stephen Owen
Secretary of State
(Western Economic Diversification)
(Indian Affairs and Northern Development)
Presentation to the Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada
September 29, 2003
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VIDEO*
AUDIO*
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I would like to thank the Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada for inviting me to participate in this conference.
Although I cannot be in Calgary today, I am extremely pleased to have this opportunity to talk to you on behalf of Western Economic Diversification Canada, or WD as we are known, and the Government of Canada.
You’ve put together an outstanding program for this conference – a program that demonstrates a commitment to find solutions to the challenges Canada is currently facing in the area of climate change. This is a commitment that the federal government truly shares.
Addressing climate change can be a huge challenge to face, but it’s also a tremendous opportunity for ALL Canadians.
Every government, every region, every sector and every Canadian has the responsibility to take action.
Climate change is a global issue, so solutions must be global. By focusing our efforts on reducing the effects of climate change, everyone wins.
The Government of Canada has dedicated 1.7 billion dollars to address climate change since 1997. And, the federal budget 2003 has provided another $2 billion dollars over five years to help implement the Climate Change Plan for Canada.
Innovation and new technologies developed in the West benefit not only Canada, but the world.
The Climate Change Plan builds on ongoing efforts to address various climate change issues all across Canada and outlines areas in which we should intensify our action.
Cutting the production of greenhouse gas emissions by large industrial emitters, while maintaining competitive levels of productivity is a major concern.
The oil and gas industry is a key economic driver in Western Canada. This is especially true for Alberta, where the direct and indirect impacts of the energy sector account for about one half of the Alberta economy.
The Government of Canada appreciates the uncertainties and risks that the implementation of a national Climate Change Plan poses to the competitiveness of the Canadian industry and business. That’s why discussions with industry, provincial and territorial governments and other stakeholders, must continue to ensure that national decisions regarding climate change reflect the need for sustainable development, as well as the current economic realities.
The softwood lumber dispute, severe drought conditions, and reaction to the one case of mad cow disease have severely impacted Canada’s economy, and in particular that of the Western provinces.
As the federal department created to promote economic growth and diversification in Western Canada, WD is sensitive to the uncertainties associated with an economy largely reliant on non-renewable resources.
We believe that knowledge, innovation and collaboration form the foundation for economic prosperity in the new global economy. In fact, Innovation is one of WD’s main priorities.
Western Economic Diversification Canada plays a central role in facilitating the application of innovation to the development of new environmental technologies that address the issue of climate change.
For example, WD has long supported the development of renewable energy technologies such as fuel cells, has been a key player in the development of the B.C. fuel cell industry and is also playing a significant role in the development of fuel cell initiatives in Alberta.
The department has also targeted greenhouse gas emission management, technology development, transfer and commercialization in this area.
In Alberta, for example, WD funded a project implemented by the Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation to perform energy and environmental efficiency audits on gas plants. This project will help optimize equipment and process efficiencies, promoting further adoption within the industry.
Two of the initiatives that WD has supported under the Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement are:
- A study of all Acid Gas Re-injection projects currently active
in Western Canada that will estimate the potential greenhouse
gas reduction opportunity from Acid Gas Re-injection for the West,
and could lead to an internationally recognized credit for CO2
disposal, and
- A project aimed to integrate existing roadmaps and technology development plans in order to provide implementation recommendations for advancing R & D, and implementation of plans for a sustainable hydrocarbon industry in Western Canada.
And, as you may already know, WD announced its commitment to support the expansion of PTAC’s mandate over the next three years with a total contribution of 738,000 dollars.
Western Economic Diversification Canada’s investment will help PTAC to further focus on facilitating increased adoption of sustainable, eco-efficient and economical greenhouse gas reducing technologies throughout Western and Northern Canada.
Economic prosperity cannot be pursued in isolation. By creating
partnership and strategic alliances, we strengthen Western Canada
and make its economy more resilient to hardship and to the fluctuations
in global markets.
This conference is an example of Alberta’s hydrocarbon industry
commitment and desire to preserve Alberta’s environmental
heritage and wealth for new generations to come.
Congratulations to PTAC, all industry partners and participants at this conference.
Enjoy the rest of the sessions.