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13 July 2009
Published by Senators David Angus, Grant Mitchell and Elaine McCoy on 13 July 2009 in the Hill Times
One of the greatest challenges of our generation will be dealing with the interlinked issues of pressure on our existing energy systems and the scope of climate change.
Determining Canada’s response will be the public policy discussions that define our future. Our committee, the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources is preparing to study energy issues in the coming fall session.
Over the summer we are developing literature reviews to build an understanding of Canada’s existing energy resources, including alternatives and renewables, and how federal-provincial-territorial energy policy and infrastructure is constituted.
Part of our study will be a consideration of the carbon pricing policies and markets around the world. This will include studying the foundations of the coming U.S. cap-and-trade system. The Americans are proceeding towards cap-and-trade as their carbon pricing policy of choice, and Canada must determine how best we can set up similar institutions here that will effectively integrate with the U.S.
Once the Senate resumes in the fall, we will hear witnesses and consult with a wide range of Canadians. We want to hear many different perspectives, like those from industry, science, environmental groups and provincial and territorial governments.
Our committee wants to hear the ideas of Canadians, and see first-hand the work of those investing in our energy opportunities. We will be travelling to Washington, D.C., to meet with decision-makers there, and also travelling across this country with the hope of holding roundtables and public meetings to further our consultation. Over the next two years we will be releasing several reports that will include recommendations on what a sustainable Canadian energy future might look like.
There is a consensus on our committee that this is important, timely work.
We are facing a carbon-constrained world. To mitigate climate change means managing our greenhouse gas emissions and changing the way we power our cars, homes, businesses and industries.
As pressures increase on our existing energy structures, Canada will find itself dealing with tough decisions. How do we manage our energy exports? Do we need to consider a program of East-West energy security? We are an integral part of meeting the global demand for energy but also must radically reduce our GHG emissions. Can we do both, and in a way that ensures our future prosperity and our environmental security?
The U.S. has passed the Waxman-Markey Bill through the House of Representatives, a preliminary but substantive step towards setting up an American cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gases.
With the potential for “green” protectionist clauses the American cap-and-trade system may have serious implications for Canada. We need to prepare ourselves to join the Americans, especially to ensure the competitiveness of our industries.
For too long we have paid very little of the true cost of the energy we consume. As the common saying among economists goes, “there is no free lunch,” and the deferred costs of cheap energy are catching up to us. Rising prices will also mean great opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. Developing clean energy technology has already proven to be big business, and will prove to be bigger still.
We must take on the challenge of changing business as usual. Canadians have already started down this path; it is the job of public policy makers and Parliamentarians to develop the framework to support their innovative energy.
Conservative Senator W. David Angus is the chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. Liberal Senator Grant Mitchell is the deputy chair and Progressive Conservative Senator Elaine McCoy is a frequent contributor to the committee.
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