Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Energy To Take Centre Stage At Meeting Of Provincial And Territorial Leaders

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Jul, 2015 12:45 PM
    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — It's more important to get a national energy strategy right than to get it done quickly, Newfoundland and Labrador's premier said as national leaders try to work out regional differences.
     
    Talks towards a Canadian Energy Strategy are continuing but a draft document is still in flux, Paul Davis said at Thursday's meeting of the Council of the Federation in St. John's, N.L.
     
    Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall offered a vocal defence of the oil and gas sectors as he arrived for the meeting of provincial and territorial leaders. He said he's concerned that energy resources are increasingly viewed as a liability in some parts of the country.
     
    "This energy strategy mentions oil, but it's almost in passing," he said of an early draft of a document premiers had said they would hammer out before this summer's meeting.
     
    "It's almost like we've become embarrassed that we have this energy asset and we ought not to be because on the strength of developing that asset, we have funded innumerable social programs. We have created strong economies."
     
    Wall said there's growing frustration in the West, where the energy industry creates jobs and helps fund equalization transfers from the federal government to less-wealthy provinces.
     
    Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, whose NDP government has said it will strike a new course on environmental protection, stressed the need for balance.
     
    "We are an energy province and my job is to make sure that we can grow prosperity in Alberta as well as across the country, and so we're going to continue to do that," she told reporters Wednesday. "But there's no question that our new government does see that there's a close tie between environmental record, a good strong integrity there, in order to establish more access to markets."
     
    All premiers are free to express their opinions, Davis said when asked if Wall's outspokenness was stalling progress.
     
    Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil called Wall a "great partner" and said it's important for all provinces to take a national view on how to best move resources across Canada and to international buyers.
     
    New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant said he's optimistic the premiers can agree on a national plan that will set guidelines for new projects, such as the proposed Energy East pipeline while also protecting the environment.
     
    "Energy's an important part of our Canadian economy," he said. "It's an important part of the New Brunswick economy and we need it to be helping us, we need it to be growing if we're going to create jobs and grow the economy from coast to coast to coast."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C. Minister Amrik Virk's Brother-In-Law, Amardeep Singh Ahluwalia, Found Murdered In Kelowna

    B.C. Minister Amrik Virk's Brother-In-Law, Amardeep Singh Ahluwalia, Found Murdered In Kelowna
    Amardeep Singh Ahluwalia, 47 was reportedly murdered in a violent attack inside his home in the Black Mountain city of Kelowna, in what the police said was a "targeted homicide"

    B.C. Minister Amrik Virk's Brother-In-Law, Amardeep Singh Ahluwalia, Found Murdered In Kelowna

    How To Be Prepared To Buy A Home In A Sellers Market

    How To Be Prepared To Buy A Home In A Sellers Market
    Buying a home can present challenges throughout the process, no matter the time of year or the state of the local real estate market. Certainly there are times throughout the year that can present fewer challenges than others.

    How To Be Prepared To Buy A Home In A Sellers Market

    Charges Laid 22-Year-Old Khouri Green After Random Break-In Ends In Fatal Shooting In Surrey

    Charges Laid 22-Year-Old Khouri Green After Random Break-In Ends In Fatal Shooting In Surrey
    Homicide investigators say a 22-year-old man has been charged with the second-degree murder of a Surrey father and well-known realtor.

    Charges Laid 22-Year-Old Khouri Green After Random Break-In Ends In Fatal Shooting In Surrey

    Man Falls To His Death During Unauthorized Visit To Port Coquitlam Construction Site

    Man Falls To His Death During Unauthorized Visit To Port Coquitlam Construction Site
    PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. — A man in his 20s has died after falling four storeys while partying at an apartment construction site in suburban Vancouver.

    Man Falls To His Death During Unauthorized Visit To Port Coquitlam Construction Site

    Changes At Top Of Translink After Metro Vancouver Voters Send Strong Message

    Changes At Top Of Translink After Metro Vancouver Voters Send Strong Message
    VANCOUVER — Metro Vancouver's transit authority says two top managers are out and the acting chief executive will be replaced following a failed transit plebiscite.

    Changes At Top Of Translink After Metro Vancouver Voters Send Strong Message

    B.C. Man Known For 'Great Big Hugs' Died At Work On Day Off: Coroner's Inquest

    B.C. Man Known For 'Great Big Hugs' Died At Work On Day Off: Coroner's Inquest
    Lucy Campbell said on the opening day of a coroner's inquest that 42-year-old Carl Charlie was known for his "incredible smile, great big hugs, handshakes and waves."

    B.C. Man Known For 'Great Big Hugs' Died At Work On Day Off: Coroner's Inquest