CALGARY, Feb. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today discussed challenges and opportunities facing the oil and natural gas industry at an event hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

Minister Carr heard about the challenges persistent low oil and natural gas prices present to businesses and communities, and he outlined the federal government's plan to modernize and restore public trust in the way Canada reviews and assesses major resource projects.

He also talked about the joint federal–provincial action announced on February 3, 2016, by Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Notley, which focused on three principal areas: jobs and the economy, clean growth and climate change, and energy infrastructure and market access.

Minister Carr outlined the importance of clean technology investments and innovation in achieving provincial and federal commitments on climate change. This includes supporting development and application of clean technology in traditional resource industries such as oil sands, mining and forestry.

His talk emphasized the importance of energy market access to Alberta and the entire country, and the need for both levels of government to work together with other provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous leaders.

"The governments of Alberta and Canada share common goals and principles around energy market access, and I am looking forward to working together with other provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous leaders to find solutions," said Minister Carr. "Alberta's Climate Leadership Plan is laudable. It provides needed context to oil sands development and could help to serve as a platform for federal–provincial engagement as we begin to incorporate greenhouse gas assessments into major project reviews."

Finally, the Minister talked about Canada joining Mission Innovation, a global partnership aimed at doubling government investment in clean energy innovation over five years. The Government of Canada will also invest in innovation and the use of clean technologies in the natural resource sectors.

Mission Innovation and greater continental focus on climate change and energy collaboration is on the agenda February 11 and 12, when Minister Carr hosts his U.S. and Mexico counterparts, Secretary Moniz and Secretary Joaquín Coldwell, in Winnipeg, for the North American Energy Ministers Meeting.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has put in place five principles for major projects currently undergoing federal review with the goal of improving public trust in Canada's review processes.
• On February 3, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta agreed to take joint action in three principal areas — jobs and the economy, clean growth and climate change, and energy infrastructure and market access — to advance the well-being and prosperity of Alberta families, workers and businesses, including those hardest hit by the global downturn in commodity prices.
• 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.
• The Government has committed to spend $300 million a year on clean technology:
  • investing an additional $100 million each year in clean technology producers; and
  • investing an additional $200 million each year to support innovation and the use of clean technologies in the natural resource sectors.

Quote

"Alberta is currently facing some of the toughest economic times since the 1980s. Our government understands this — and sees the impact it is having on Albertans and Canadians. But our government believes that Alberta and Canada will get through these times, and we will emerge with a renewed energy sector that is stronger, more resilient, and better positioned to compete in the low-carbon economy. Together, we will demonstrate that Canada is on the right path and can truly lead on the world stage."

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, takes part in a question and answer discussion with Alberta’s business community, moderated by Deborah Yedlin of the Calgary Herald and hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, on February 5, 2016. (CNW Group/Natural Resources Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160205_C3030_PHOTO_EN_614689.jpg