• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 45Canada's energy policy is guided by a series of principles, agreements and accords, the key elements of which are:
• A market orientation. Markets are the most efficient means of determining supply, demand, prices and trade while ensuring an efficient, competitive and innovative energy system that is responsive to Canada's energy needs.
• Respect for jurisdictional authority and the role of the provinces. Canadian provincial governments manage resources within their borders. The National Energy Board regulates international and interprovincial aspects of the oil, gas and electric utility industries; as well as frontier lands and offshore areas not covered by provincial/federal management agreements.
• Where necessary, targeted intervention in the market process to achieve specific policy objectives through regulation or other means. These policy objectives include issues of health and safety, such as pipeline regulation, and environmental sustainability.
Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments are committed to sustainable development of energy resources, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through investments in clean energy technologies that demonstrate the greatest potential for progress, such as carbon capture and storage.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 46In Canada, provincial governments generally manage their own resources. Policy co-ordination between the federal and the provincial governments takes place through formal high-level committees and informal contacts and consultations.
Canada promotes dialogue and cooperation on shared energy and climate challenges facing the hemisphere and engages in a range of bilateral and multilateral energy and climate-related partnerships that focus on regulatory framework reforms, capacity building, sustainable resource governance, and corporate social responsibility.
In the Americas, Canada works bilaterally with the U.S. through the Canada-U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue, which aims to promote the development and deployment of clean energy technogies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. Other key partnerships in the Americas include bilateral and trilateral mechanisms such as the Canada-Mexico Partnership Energy Working group, the Canada-Chile Energy Working Group and the North American Energy Working Group.
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is also engaged in energy and climate-related partnerships in the Hemisphere including through electrification (Nicaragua), and electricity-generation cost-recovery projects (Haiti). CIDA also provides capacity-building support to regional governmental and non-governmental organisations in the energy sector.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 47Since the introduction of the Energy Efficiency Act in 1992 Canada has set some of the highest standards for energy efficiency in the world. In May, 2009, Canada amended the Energy Efficiency Act to regulate classes of products that affect or control energy consumption, including windows, doors and thermostats — and not just products that consume energy themselves.
The Government of Canada promotes energy efficiency through the funding of ecoEnergy initiatives which promote smarter energy use and provide financial incentives in support of energy-efficiency improvements in homes, small buildings and industries.
In Canada, low-income households were able to participate in the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program, which provides financial support for energy-saving retrofits with complementary retrofitting programs available in many provinces and territories. The ecoENERGY Retrofit – Small and Medium Organizations program provides a financial incentive up to 25 percent of eligible costs to help small and medium-sized organizations in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors improve energy efficiency.
Natural Resources Canada's ecoENERGY for Industry program is designed to improve industrial energy intensity and reduce energy-related industrial greenhouse gases and air pollution. It is delivered through the long-standing and successful Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation, a voluntary partnership between the government and industry that brings together industry associations and companies representing more than 98 percent of all industrial energy use in Canada.
A series of ecoTRANSPORT initiatives are being implemented to reduce the environmental impacts of transportation and secure Canada’s future prosperity and competitiveness, by making the transportation system more sustainable, both economically and environmentally.
Canada is a leader in regulating consumer and commercial products that affect or control energy consumption. In support of its regulatory activities, Canada promotes consumer awareness through energy efficiency labelling.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 48The Government of Canada supports energy research and development to help reduce such environmental emissions while also preserving the benefits of hydrocarbons, including coal, as plentiful and inexpensive fuels for electricity power production. In this regard Canada’s priorities are focused on:
• electric power generation from renewable energy sources;
• cleaner conversion of coal to electricity;
• small-scale or distributed generation, with an emphasis on combined heat and power applications;
• carbon dioxide capture and storage; and
• development of Generation IV nuclear energy systems.
Canada has introduced new policies and fiscal incentives to improve the investment climate in energy projects. Canada established the Clean Energy Fund, an investment of nearly $1 billion over five years for clean energy research and demonstration projects, including carbon capture and storage.
The Office of Energy Research and Development (OERD) within Natural Resources Canada is responsible for the Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD), the ecoENERGY Technology Initiative, and the Clean Energy Fund. The OERD works with federal departments and agencies to fund research and development (R&D) and technology demonstrations in oil and gas; clean electric power generation; clean transportation energy; clean energy systems for buildings and communities; clean energy systems for industry; and sustainable bioenergy.
The Government of Canada, through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), finances and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies which provide solutions to issues of climate change, clean air, water quality and soil. The government established a $500 million fund to be administered through SDTC to invest with the private sector in establishing first-of-kind large-scale demonstration facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels.
In addition, Canada is working bilaterally with the U.S. through the Canada-U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue to advance clean energy research and development and promote collaboration on key technologies (particularly carbon capture and storage).
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 50Canada has one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world, with three-quarters of its electricity supply emitting no greenhouse gases. Natural Resources Canada's CanmetENERGY is the Canadian leader in clean energy research and technology development. It works with the energy industry, academia and environmental stakeholders on cost-shared basis through in-house work and funding support.
The Office of Energy Research and Development (OERD) at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has coordinated energy research and development activities in Canada for over 30 years. It administers NRCan funding for interdepartmental research and development programs which support Canada's energy priorities including:
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
• improving the energy efficiency of our homes, offices and industries;
• finding practical, affordable alternate sources of energy;
• developing cleaner, more efficient transportation vehicles and systems;
• ensuring the integrity of Canada's energy infrastructure; and
• providing economic opportunities for Canada's energy-related industries.
The ecoENERGY Renewable Initiative includes the following programs:
• The ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program, which is supporting the installation of about 4,000 MW of new electricity capacity from clean renewable sources like solar photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, tidal, biomass, and low-impact hydro, and
• The ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program, which is supporting the deployment of renewable heating systems, such as solar air and water heating in the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors.
The Clean Energy Fund ($1B) and the Green Infrastructure Fund ($1B) also support a range of initiatives including energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean energy research and development.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 51Canada promotes cooperation on common energy issues and challenges in the region to strengthen overall energy security. The framework for the protection of Canada’s energy infrastructure systems is based on three fundamental and inter-related elements: prevention, response in times of an emergency, and resilience. The basis for the framework is the national security policy of 2004, Securing an Open Society: Canada’s National Security Policy; the 2007 Emergency Management Act, and the 2008 draft paper entitled Working towards a National Strategy and Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure.
The Energy and Utilities Sector Network serves as the forum that brings all the energy sector stakeholders together to discuss issues of common interest – discussion of methodologies for risk profiles, identification of interdependencies, emergency management programs, and communications plans.
The National Energy Board regulates international and interprovincial aspects of the oil, gas and electric utility industries; as well as frontier lands and offshore areas not covered by provincial/federal management agreements.
In addition, NRCan is working with the U.S. Departments of Energy and Homeland Security, pursuant to the Smart Border Declaration and the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, to assess cross-border energy infrastructure systems and to share best practices and information. Also, Canada is a member of the International Energy Agency, whose initial role was to co-ordinate measures in times of oil supply emergencies, and whose mandate now includes the “three E’s” of balanced energy policy making: energy security, economic development and environmental protection.
Nuclear energy falls within federal jurisdiction in Canada. The Government of Canada gives high priority to the safety and protection of persons and the environment with respect to operations of the nuclear industry and has established a comprehensive and robust regulatory regime. Canada’s nuclear regulator is the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, an independent federal agency. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a federal Crown corporation which reports to the Canadian Parliament through NRCan. It developed the CANDU technology, and designed and built (with industrial partners) all the country’s nuclear plants. It provides maintenance and refurbishment services for CANDU plants and operates the country’s nuclear research sites.
Canada is actively involved in the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Nuclear Regulators Association, the CANDU Senior Regulators group, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Nuclear Energy Agency and the G8’s Nuclear Safety and Security Group.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 52Canada has established the Clean Energy Fund and the Green Infrastructure Fund, which provide close to $2 billion for the development of promising clean energy technologies and green infrastructure initiatives. Canadian federal and provincial governments and industry work together to support clean energy technologies such as carbon capture and storage. National Resource Canada’s CanmetENERGY is leading research and development toward a diverse set of innovative technologies for clean fossil fuels, bioenergy, renewables, industrial processes, oil sands and transportation.
The Office of Energy Research and Development (OERD) within Natural Resources Canada is responsible for the Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD), the ecoENERGY Technology Initiative, and the Clean Energy Fund. The OERD works with federal departments and agencies to fund research and development (R&D) and technology demonstrations in oil and gas; clean electric power generation; clean transportation energy; clean energy systems for buildings and communities; clean energy systems for industry; and sustainable bioenergy.
Canada is working bilaterally with the U.S. on a range of clean energy issues. For example, Canada has implemented harmonized passenger vehicle emission standards. Under the Canada-U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue, Canada and the U.S. have established joint working groups to support collaboration in three focus areas: (1) clean energy research and development; (2) clean energy technologies, particularly carbon capture and storage (CCS); and (3) clean and renewable electricity generation.
Canada and other Major Economies Forum countries have identified opportunities for joint effort in carbon capture and storage, advanced vehicles, smart grids, energy efficiency, bioenergy and renewables. In addition, Canada and Mexico are exploring CCS and related enhanced oil recovery issues.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 53The Government of Canada provides a number of information products for consumers on energy efficiency, a key aspect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through its many programs for the residential, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors, NRCan’s Office of Energy efficiency has the most up-to-date information on energy efficiency, alternative energy and clean fuels. This information is available through numerous free of charge publications that can be obtained in print or on-line on topics such as appliances (Energy Star), energy efficient products, energy-use statistics, and transportation.
Energy Pricing Information for Canadian Consumers is provided by the National Energy Board on a website dedicated to providing timely information about energy commodities, focused on pricing and factors affecting pricing.
As well, a range of statistical products regarding the energy sector are available from Statistics Canada.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 54In Canada, providing statistics is a federal responsibility. As Canada’s central statistical agency, Statistics Canada is legislated to serve this function for the whole of Canada and each of the provinces. Statistics Canada maintains extensive contacts with international, scientific and intergovernmental organizations, to share professional expertise and to promote common concepts, standards and practices. Canada’s membership in international organizations, such as the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development requires that Statistics Canada’s outputs meet international standards, ensuring that Canadian data continue to be comparable with those of other countries.
The National Energy Board compiles statistics related to its regulatory role in the oil, gas and electricity industries. In addition, statistical information, analytical reports and other documentation on energy in Canada including reports illustrating the energy sector's contribution to the Canadian economy is available from Natural Resources Canada.
Internationally, Canada promotes open and transparent energy markets and a significant role for independent regulators. Canada provides timely and accurate information to industry and the public concerning crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products. Canada also supports the Joint Oil Data Initiative’s improvement of international energy data quality and coverage through the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Canada focuses on these priorities through work with international partners, multilaterally and bilaterally, including: the G8, the International Energy Agency, the North American Energy Working Group, and the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate Change.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 55The Government of Canada works together with many partners in industry, civil society, and other levels of government, on a balanced approach to energy policy. In Canada, all resource projects, including oil sands development are subject to strict environmental standards that are among the most comprehensive in the world.
Prior to any permits being issued, resource projects must undergo a strict environmental and regulatory review, where all issues must be addressed prior to approvals. Extensive environmental monitoring and reporting are also required by governments.
The Government of Canada works to ensure that any existing, new or expanded facility meets the requirements and regulations of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Fisheries Act (Section 36 – water pollution prevention provisions), and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 56Canada recognizes that the diversification of energy supply and suppliers, market transparency, energy efficiency, and the promotion of renewable technologies and cleaner fossil fuel technologies are all required to promote sustainable, long-term energy security in the hemisphere.
Canada supported regional energy co-operation through funding to support the hosting of the Ministerial-level symposium on Climate and Energy in Lima, Peru from 15-16 June, 2009; and for the hosting of the Energy and Climate Partnership for the Americas (ECPA) Ministerial meeting in Washington DC from April 15-16. 2010. Canada has also established a Heavy Oil Working Group under the aegis of ECPA to promote collaboration on clean energy research to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel development.
Canada participates in the North American Energy Working Group to promote trilateral energy cooperation between the members of the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA). In addition, Canada engages in bilateral consultations through the Canada-US Clean Energy Dialogue, the Canada-Mexico Partnership (CMP) Energy Working Group and the Canada-Chile Energy Working Group.
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is engaged in a range of energy and climate-related partnerships and initiatives in the Hemisphere. CIDA's support is directed at creating an enabling and predictable environment for economic growth through the increased capacity and accountability of public institutions, and by fostering a more competitive private sector. Initiatives include regulatory framework reforms and electrification and electricity-generation cost-recovery projects in Nicaragua and Haiti. CIDA also promotes corporate social responsibility through capacity-building support to regional governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the Latin America Energy Organization and the Association of Oil and Natural Gas Companies of Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Date: 6/20/2010 Paragraphs: 49The Government of Canada is committed to expanding the production and use of cleaner, renewable biofuels in order to:
• reduce the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from fuel use;
• encourage greater production of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel;
• accelerate the commercialization of new biofuel technologies; and
• provide new market opportunities for agricultural producers and rural communities.
Canada’s ecoENERGY for Biofuels Program supports the production of renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel and encourages the development of a competitive domestic industry for renewable fuels. The program provides an operating incentive to facilities that produce renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel in Canada.
Canada’s ecoAGRICULTURE Biofuels Capital Initiative provides repayable contributions for the construction or expansion of transportation biofuel production facilities. Funding is conditional upon agricultural producer investment in the biofuel projects, and the use of agricultural feedstock to produce the biofuel.
Internationally, Canada cooperates both multilaterally and bilaterally on biofuels. Canada participates in the International Energy Agency’s Technology agreement on Bioenergy. Canada and the U.S. cooperate under the Clean Energy Dialogue (CED) Clean Energy R&D working group – which aims to connect Canadian and US experts and promote cross-border collaboration in a number of priority areas for the CED, including future generation biofuels (e.g., algal biofuels, pyrolysis), clean engines/vehicles, and energy efficiency.
In addition, the Canadian Biomass Innovation Network coordinates the Federal Government's interdepartmental Research, Development and Demonstration activities in the area of bioenergy, biofuels, industrial bioproducts and bioprocesses.
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