Minister Jim Carr Concludes First Visit to British Columbia

VANCOUVER, Feb. 10, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today concluded his first official visit to British Columbia. The Minister met with provincial officials, including B.C. Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development, Rich Coleman, B.C. Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson, and B.C. Minister of Energy and Mines, Bill Bennett. Minister Carr also met with Indigenous leaders, environmental groups and industry representatives to discuss a number of issues, including the interim process for major resource project reviews and clean technology development.

The Minister delivered opening remarks at the Assembly of First Nations' Forum on Energy on February 10, 2016, where he stressed the Government of Canada's commitment to renew its relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition, rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. In particular, the Minister noted the importance of collaborating with Indigenous communities, in addition to the provinces, territories and industry, on developing Canada's natural resources based on a low-carbon economy focused on clean, renewable and sustainable energy technologies.

The Minister also highlighted some of the early actions the Government is taking to deliver on these priorities by advancing a clean environment and strong economy, while restoring credibility in the environmental assessment process, including the introduction of an interim approach for reviews of major resource projects, and building international relationships through discussions at the upcoming North American Energy Ministerial in Winnipeg on February 11 and 12. 

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is implementing an interim approach with five principles for pipeline projects currently undergoing National Energy Board (NEB) regulatory reviews.
• The Paris Climate Agreement, signed by 195 countries, including Canada, reinforces that a transition to a clean, low-carbon economy is essential.
• Through Mission Innovation, 20 governments have agreed to double their respective investments in transformative, clean energy research and development over five years to encourage private sector investment in clean energy technology and to increase collaboration among participating countries.

Quote

"The Government of Canada is embarking on a new challenge: planning the transition to a low-carbon energy future through the use of innovative clean technologies, renewable resources and energy efficiency. We believe that collaboration is essential to answering this challenge. Together with Indigenous communities and other partners, our government will continue the dialogue to ensure a bright future for Canadians through the sustainable development of our energy resources."

Jim Carr
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Image with caption: "The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, accepts a gift from Chief Ian Campbell at the Assembly of First Nations’ Forum on Energy in Vancouver on February 10, 2016. (CNW Group/Natural Resources Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160210_C6063_PHOTO_EN_618284.jpg

Micheline Joanisse, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-292-6837; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100; The general public may contact: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]