Energy Security & Critical Minerals
Premiers agreed on the importance of developing resources in a responsible manner, meeting domestic needs, and positioning Canada as the optimal solution to global energy needs and security. Provinces and territories have diverse energy and natural resources assets, which is reflected in their respective jurisdictions’ priorities. Hydrogen, natural gas, hydroelectricity, wind, carbon capture utilization and storage, small modular reactors, uranium and oil, are examples of Canada’s abundant energy sources and technologies, which are among the most sustainable and ethical in the world. Canada’s energy sector will continue to evolve and adapt to new technologies in search of lower to zero-emitting energy sources, and provide new, higher-paying skilled jobs for decades to come.
Premiers are also focused on promoting Canada’s potential as a global powerhouse in the reliable sourcing and supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements. Critical minerals extraction and processing will continue to generate economic prosperity, and create potential to support high-value activities in the electric vehicle supply chain. Premiers called on the federal government to take action to ensure the accelerated approval processes identified in Budget 2023 are implemented in a timely manner.
Premiers called on the federal government to respect provincial and territorial jurisdiction over natural resources, while working collaboratively with provinces and territories on their respective priorities. These include:
- continuing to produce and supply ethical, sustainable and affordable Canadian energy and critical minerals to domestic and international markets;
- maintaining and expanding critical energy infrastructure, including securing the future of Line 5;
- investing in the clean energy infrastructure needed to realize Canada’s economic potential; and
- ensuring predictable and streamlined federal impact assessments and regulatory regimes, without duplicating provincial and territorial processes.
Premiers discussed policies the federal government intends to impose including the Clean Fuel Regulations, and the proposed Clean Electricity Regulations, and cap on oil and gas emissions. Premiers affirmed that electricity and energy regulation is the exclusive jurisdiction of provinces and territories, and are taking action to reduce emissions. Federal policies must not infringe on their authority and must recognize their unique needs and situations. Premiers discussed the impacts of these federal policies including overlap, affordability and inflationary impacts, feasibility and attainability, and called on the federal government to ensure federal climate policies recognize early and ongoing action by provinces and territories in these areas. Premiers expressed concern that the federal Clean Electricity Regulations are unattainable and unaffordable for some jurisdictions given current technologies and timelines.
Sustainable Development & Climate Action
Climate change is a global threat. Catastrophic weather events have inflicted devastating losses on Canadian communities and infrastructure, and pose an ongoing threat to Canadians’ health, safety, prosperity and natural environment. Canada’s future economic stability and the wellbeing of Canadians depends on addressing this challenge. Premiers discussed the urgency of global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They agreed on the importance of provincial and territorial leadership in moving to achieve shared objectives, including emissions reduction and growing business opportunities.
– MORE –