The Green Lane: [Speech] -- Speaking Notes for the Honourable David Anderson, P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment to the Opening Session of the Pollution Probe Green Power Series Workshop #5: "Next Steps - A Vision and Strategy for Green Power in Canada"

       

           



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            Speaking Notes for the Honourable David Anderson, P.C., M.P. 
            Minister of the Environment
            to the Opening Session of the
            Pollution Probe Green Power Series 
            Workshop #5: "Next Steps - A Vision and Strategy for Green Power in 
            Canada"
            Vancouver, British Columbia
            April 3, 2004 
            Speech delivered by the
            Hon. David Anderson P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment



      Check against delivery
      Thank you Ken (Ogilvie - Executive Director of Pollution Probe),
      I appreciate the opportunity to be here at the fifth and final workshop in 
      your Green Power Series and I am happy to salute Pollution Probe's track 
      record and commitment to the environment and renewable energy issues.
      It is not often that I speak to an organization that has been active in 
      environmental issues as long as I have - but Pollution Probe has built a 
      record of environmental leadership over more than three decades now. Dr. 
      Donald Chant of the University of Toronto, the founder of Pollution Probe, 
      was a friend of mine who worked with me on a number of issues in the late 
      '60s and early '70s.
      Through advocacy, communications and the use of science, Pollution Probe 
      does essential work to inform communities. This organization is a positive 
      force, pointing to ways we can all do more - including on green power.
      So, it certainly makes sense for me to be here this morning when you are 
      concluding the workshop part of the series - and probably thinking ahead 
      to the advocacy part that I know will likely follow.
      And I've come here with a sense of how I can contribute to your 
      discussions.
      I don't have to dwell on the statistics and ideas about low-impact 
      renewable energy whether here in Canada or internationally. You know all 
      that, and probably in more detail than I do.
      For example, the examples from Germany alone are certainly impressive. A 
      country in which now over 14,000 megawatts of wind power now sustains 
      35,000 direct jobs. A country in which the wind power industry is now the 
      second largest consumer of steel, behind car manufacturing.
      We know that there are other countries that are doing more than Canada to 
      bring various renewable energy sources onto their grids. We know they are 
      using a variety of policy and financial tools to speed up the development, 
      improvement and introduction of low-impact renewable energy.
      We know that there is value in expanding the use of renewable energy in 
      Canada whether in terms of job creation, innovation or technology exports. 
      Whether in terms of the health benefits of limiting fossil fuel use or the 
      environmental benefits linked to actions on climate change and air 
quality.
      So, if we know all this, my question as a speaker is how can I make a 
      contribution to your discussions? The answer is simple. I want to provide 
      some specific comments and advice that can help guide your discussions for 
      today and your strategies for tomorrow.

      I know that you have already thought about the technology, the investment 
      and market elements, the policy incentives and more. You've thought about 
      the key elements that will determine how quickly low-impact renewable 
      energy sources come on stream as a more substantial part of our energy 
mix.
      The next step is your development of a shared vision and strategy to 
      develop green power in Canada.
      You have picked a particularly auspicious time to do this.
      Prime Minister Martin's commitment to integrating environment across 
      government will help to ensure that environmental considerations are an 
      important part of both our economic and social agenda.
      The Speech from the Throne and the Budget have translated that commitment 
      into more specific strategies particularly in support of the 
      commercialization of environmental technologies.
      So, with good ideas and the right linkages to the rest of the government 
      agenda, the prospects for an increased commitment to low-impact renewable 
      energy are quite positive.
      And yet, prospects are only a starting point. Because when it comes to the 
      world of public policy, just because something is a good idea, doesn't 
      mean it gets very far.
      In the real world of government, we constantly receive proposals for this 
      new policy, that new law, some other new program. Certainly, I hear them 
      all the time.
      And the reality is that many of these proposals are broadly sound not out 
      of left field. They seek to seize an opportunity or address a problem. 
      They are presented by people who have thought them through and who bring 
      immense understanding to them.
      Yet, in the natural environment of government, that's a necessary 
      condition but not a sufficient condition for success.
      Ideas even good ones even good ones that Ministers have are like the 
      millions of salmon who enter BC's rivers to spawn in any given year.
      Some of those salmon get eaten by bears just waiting along the riverbanks. 
      Some get pushed out of the way by other salmon. A few make it all the way 
      upstream - yet almost never looking as fit and healthy as they did when 
      they started the journey.
      So, think of your workshop discussions here as being like a fitness camp 
      for your green power policy salmon. Think about the environment into which 
      they will swim and see what it will take to make them stronger and fitter.

      What is that policy environment now?
      First, there is certainly a base to build on. Governments at all levels 
      federal, provincial, territorial and municipal are seeking to incorporate 
      environmental considerations into their activities. We all want a 
      healthier environment for our citizens and employees. We all want to 
      reduce costs, including the life cycle costs of our infrastructure.
      We also work under the glare of the public spotlight. When it comes to 
      issues like energy production and use, governments have a special 
      responsibility to act in an environmentally responsible manner. Our 
      purchasing power can help to create new markets for environmentally 
      preferable products, making them more affordable for everyone.
      Issues such as the blackout in Ontario last year, cost issues plaguing 
      utilities, the health impacts of many current power generating approaches 
      have all drawn attention to Canada's energy future and what role low 
      impact renewable energy sources will play.
      And while I know that you certainly want to see more from our government, 
      there most certainly have been federal choices and investments.
      One good example is our support for the fuel cell industry in Canada, and 
      particularly here in BC. The extensive support that we have provided to 
      Ballard Power Systems is one particularly well known example of Canadian 
      innovation. In fact, we are proud to be part of a joint venture with 
      Ballard, DaimlerChrysler and Ford Motor Company to develop fuel cells for 
      passenger vehicles.
      We are also proud to be behind Fuel Cells Canada which is working through 
      the National Research Council's Fuel Cell Technology Centre here at UBC. 
      Further afield, we are buying wind energy to power our offices in Alberta. 
      We are supporting experiments and initiatives across the country.
      However, looking ahead, the next stage is to move to a more comprehensive 
      approach that will not just support action on low-impact renewables but 
      will also support the achievement of a broader range of government wide 
      goals, too.
      And this is where one of the most important elements in accelerating a 
      policy area comes into play. That area is the interest and role of the 
      Prime Minister.
      If there ever was a Prime Minister who understands the meaning of 
      sustainable development who understands how the environment and economy 
      and society are linked it is Prime Minister Martin.
      Remember, he cut his teeth in Parliament as an extremely able Environment 
      critic in Opposition - long before he made his mark as Minister of 
Finance.

      Indeed, he represented the Liberal Opposition at the Earth Summit in Rio 
      in 1992. He co-chaired the 1993 Liberal platform with its vision of 
      sustainable development for the 21st Century.
      As Minister of Finance, he presided over a long series of decisions that 
      recognized the importance of the environment to Canadians.
      He arrived at 24 Sussex with a thorough understanding of the many examples 
      that show how much is possible right now and how advanced technologies 
      matter, not just to Canada but to the world.
      Let me quote him,
      "Over the course of the next generation, China and India are going to 
      become massive economic superpowers. And, in fact, if they do so in the 
      way we became strong economies, then the cost to nature and the cost to 
      the planet are simply going to be catastrophic."
      Then the Prime Minister hit the nail on the head in terms of our path to 
      the future by saying,
      "The development of new technologies, much of which I hope comes from 
      here, is going to be absolutely key."
      The recent Speech from the Throne and the Budget make very clear the kinds 
      of priorities that the Prime Minister and his government have. More 
      importantly for you and for the renewable energy issues that are of 
      importance to you, it shows that the environment, innovation and 
      sustainable development are clear commitments in our government's agenda. 
      The potential for linkages are obvious.
      I should start off by pointing out that the Speech from the Throne sets 
      out an ambitious agenda on air, water and climate change. One of the most 
      explicit commitments in it is the reaffirmation of our government's 
      intention to meet the climate change challenge through a commitment to the 
      Kyoto Protocol.
      As part of getting there, it makes environmental technologies an important 
      part of both our economic and social agendas. Those technologies will be 
      part of producing the "long-term and enduring results" that the Speech 
      from the Throne calls for.
      If anything, that direction has been reinforced by another comment that 
      the Prime Minister recently made: "Renewable energy holds significant 
      potential not only for addressing climate change but also for innovation, 
      job creation and regional diversification. Renewable energy and 
      climate-friendly technologies will play a significant role as Canada moves 
      forward in meeting the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions"
      hat kind of commitment is often the catalyst that encourages action that 
      has to involve many different departments, as is the case for renewable 
      energy. On this one issue, Natural Resources Canada, the Department of 
      Finance, Industry Canada and my own department are all involved in 
      different ways.
      So where could things go from here?
      The Budget provides a clear sense of the direction we are going.
      It was a "green" Budget in many ways particularly when it came to support 
      for environmental technologies.
      It shows, once again, that we are committed to leaving this land better 
      than we found it. It shows that we are determined to support the 
      development and commercialization of the new ideas, processes and 
      technologies that will enable Canada enable the world to reach our Kyoto 
      goals and to reach our goals for clean air, clean water and healthy 
      communities.
      The Budget allocated $1 billion to support new environmental technologies 
      with funds from the sale of the government's shares in Petro Canada. Of 
      that, $200 million is going to Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
      And another $800 million will be invested over five years in support of 
      environmental technologies, as new opportunities emerge and priorities are 
      identified. 
      The Budget also took on the challenges of venture financing that the 
      environmental technology sector and other new economy sectors face, with 
      $100 million for pre-seed and seed investment to nurture the development 
      of embryonic technologies.
      Added to that is $100 million to support the creation of specialized 
      venture capital funds that will lever additional private equity investment 
      in leading edge technologies once again, with a clear place for 
      environmental technologies.
      Finally, there is a new $50 million for direct investment in innovative 
      start-up and early stage companies to further support the 
      commercialization of enabling technologies.
      Those are substantial investments but they are not the equivalent of a 
      wide-open wallet sitting at the Department of Finance. Renewable energy is 
      one of many technologies and opportunities that can benefit from this 
      funding and from the increased attention evident in the Speech from the 
      Throne and the Budget.

      To earn the place for support of low impact renewable energy that you want 
      to see, there has to be a coherent case for investment and for policy 
      action that will demonstrate tangible results. Part of that will involve 
      answers to questions that touch on all parts of the government agenda:
        Given limited resources, how best can we increase awareness of the need 
        and potential for emerging renewable energy technologies?

        What are the skills that the sector needs in order to grow to its 
        potential?

        What are the opportunities to foster a strong, export-oriented renewable 
        energy oriented manufacturing sector that also enjoys a strong domestic 
        base?

        How can we match or exceed the record of countries such as Germany and 
        do so in cost-effective ways that genuinely trigger results?

        What can we do at the policy and operational level to develop our tens 
        of thousands of megawatts of wind energy potential and our geothermal, 
        solar and other renewable energy sources?
      The Government of Canada can help. For example, the Meteorological Service 
      of Canada is working on developing a Wind Atlas for Canada. We could also 
      help in producing mapping for other renewable sources. We should also 
      identify other policy tools and incentives to help deploy the 
technologies.
      Having said all this, I want to underline the fact that the provincial and 
      territorial governments have their own very important roles to play, too. 
      An advocacy strategy that is solely Ottawa-focused will only go so far.
      That makes it important to be clear on the provincial actions needed that 
      will address barriers regarding transmission. Or the actions that will 
      provide incentives for green power purchases and facilitating green power 
      markets.
      If there is one thought that I want to leave with you today, it is this.
      Right now, in Prime Minister Martin, Canada has a leader who grasps the 
      potential of renewable energy. He has mapped out an ambitious plan for 
      Canada one that a thoughtfully crafted national renewable energy strategy 
      can help support in many ways.
      The onus is on those who want to promote low-impact renewable energy to 
      demonstrate the full range of benefits including the solid net economic 
      ones. The onus on those promoting the renewable option is to be clear what 
      all partners can do to move Canada into a green and sustainable energy 
      future.
      The base for action is there. The Speech from the Throne, the Budget, the 
      Prime Minister and his leadership were just the start.

      The next step is for proponents of renewable energy in Canada to craft 
      strategies that achieve many goals well, with full attention to the roles 
      of all partners and that do so in cost-effective ways. If you can do that 
      - and I believe you can - the vehicles for action are in place, the 
      expectations are obvious and the commitment is clear.
      When you do that, you can count on the Prime Minister to stay focused on 
      his long-term global outlook - the big picture. He wants:
        A Canada that leads by example;

        A Canada that makes all the connections to ensure a sustainable 
        renewable energy future; and 

        A Canada that ensures our place in the world. 
      With the right mix of ideas, we can draw on the power of renewable energy 
      sources and technologies to ensure a sustainable energy future - 
      economically, socially and environmentally.
      Thank you.



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