Energy

The Council of Canadians, working with the Canadian Labour Congress, have produced Green Decent and Public, a report focused on the distinct opportunities of the public sector to play a prominent role in generating decent green jobs. Green Decent Public focuses in particular on the opportunities in improving energy efficiency and rapidly expanding electricity produced from renewable resources. Public and community ownership of renewable power is offered as an alternative path to further market liberalization in the electricity sector that has distinct advantages. These advantages include retaining economic revenues, maximizing social benefits, prioritizing conservation and ensuring energy security.

Executive summary
Green Decent and Public (full report)

December 7-18, 2009 marked a significant moment in time for global action on the climate crisis. Representatives from 200 countries met in Copenhagen, Denmark with the aim of getting agreement on common action to address the climate crisis.

The Council of Canadians was on the ground in Copenhagen, providing updates on negotiations inside the conference and taking part in numerous events and climate justice movement activities happening outside. Read more »

Faced with climate change and diminishing resources globally, we are at a critical juncture for energy policy. Now, more than ever, we need a Canadian Energy Strategy that ensures energy security and helps transition to sustainable energy production and consumption. Instead, Canada is taking a “free market” approach to the oil and gas industry with no energy strategy that addresses where our energy comes from, where it is going, or the high price of environmental devastation that comes with producing it. Governments have signed this control away through multilateral agreements such as NAFTA and the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP).

Canada now produces about 40 per cent more oil than it consumes, yet Quebec and Atlantic Canada rely on imports to meet 90 per cent of their oil needs. Thanks to NAFTA, Canada now exports two-thirds of the oil and close to 60 per cent of the natural gas produced each year to the U.S. Market forces alone cannot satisfy essential national energy requirements; our government must assume more responsibility for performing this role.

The Council of Canadians believe we need a Canadian Energy Strategy that gives Canadians security of their energy supplies, guaranteed access to energy reserves in times of need, and strong policies that protect our environment and focus on transitioning to sustainable energy production and consumption. Without a strategy, our country will continue to be a victim of an energy gold rush.

October 24 International Day of Climate Action

October 24 marked an international day of climate action. Six weeks before COP15, (the United Nations Framework on Climate Change meeting to be held in Copenhagen, December 7-18) people around the world demanded action - calling for a reduction in emissions in line with what science says is necessary. Canadians from coast-to-coast responded and united to demand that Canada be part of the climate change solution, not the problem.

WIN! Nova Scotia government announces plans for legislated ban on uranium mining and exploration

The Nova Scotia government has just announced its intention to formalize a provincial ban on uranium mining and exploration in law. The decision is welcome news to Council of Canadians' members and activists who, along with other Nova Scotia residents and organizations, have been pushing the government for a legislated ban to replace a cabinet policy statement that has been in place since 1981. Read more »

Photo: Council of Canadians board member and chapter activist Marion Moore points to a “Uranium: Leave it in the ground!” bumper sticker, which were used in the push for a legislated uranium mining ban in Nova Scotia.

The Council of Canadians joined with Sierra Club, Public Interest Alberta and Greenpeace in placing an ad in Regina’s Leader Post targeting the Albertan Premier, known for his agenda of accelerated tar sands activity despite the fact that the tar sands are the fastest growing emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Click here to view ad.

MEDIA RELEASE - ED: PLAY FAIR
Alberta based advocacy groups place ad directed at Albertan premier, August 5, 2009

Prominent Canadian Artists, Athletes, Activists and Community Leaders to Obama: Green jobs, yes we can. Tar sands, no we can’t

Over 50 prominent Canadians have signed an open letter telling Obama that the tar sands don’t fit in the new energy economy. “We must look at the bigger picture and see the consequences of relying on the tar sands as an economic driver” says Maude Barlow, Chairperson for the Council of Canadians, Senior Advisor on Water to the President of the UN General Assembly and signatory to the letter.

Click here to read the letter »

Click here to read a letter from 19 organizations in the United States and Canada to Secretary Steven Chu, U.S. Department of Energy, and Lisa Jackson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency »

The Council of Canadians has presented a written submission to the Ontario Government as part of the public consultation process to modernize the Ontario Mining Act.

The Council joins numerous First Nations, environmental and social justice organizations in describing the Ontario Mining Act as not suitable for ensuring the fair and sustainable extraction of natural resources in this province. We demand a more open and democratic Mining Act that balances environmental concerns and the needs of communities with the desires of mining companies. Uranium mining is an issue of special interest to our organization given significant public health and water contamination risks and other social and environmental consequences associated with all stages of development. Council of Canadians chapters across the country have actively opposed uranium mining by organizing public events, collecting signatures and supporting legislative moratoriums and bans.

Read the Council of Canadians submission »

NAFTA 101
with Prof. Saurus

Learn why Nafta Saurus loves NAFTA so much; and why 61% of Canadians agree that NAFTA should be renegotiated to include enforceable labour and environmental standards

View Flash »

The Council of Canadians has intervener standing in the proceeding before the Ontario Energy Board on the proposed Integrated Power System Plan (IPSP). The Harris government dismantled Ontario Hydro, but the largest portion of its generation and transmission assets are still in public hands. The McGuinty government will now decide whether it can achieve its energy security and conservation goals by continuing with policies of privatization, de-regulated market reform, and increasing integration with the US.

The Council of Canadians has produced three expert reports for the IPSP hearings. Two of these were written by Canada’s leading experts on free trade and the electricity sector. These point out the folly of the government’s present course given the severe constraints imposed by NAFTA and US electricity sector rules constrains the authority of provincial regulators, undermines Ontario energy security; and pave the way for higher energy costs.

The third report offers an alternative. It presents a real plan for Canadian energy security and cooperation - a regional transmission grid that would provide for the integration of Ontario’s power system with other provinces, rather than the US. There are a number of other interveners raising concerns with the plan including questions of environmental sustainability, First Nations grievances and concerns with support for nuclear energy expansion. Click here (PDF 8MB) to read the evidence of the Council of Canadians before the Ontario Energy Board.

On May 14, 2007, the Council of Canadians’ Lyn Gorman made a presentation to the Alberta Royalty Review Panel, arguing that the current royalty regime is “outdated,” and “does not serve the long-term interests of Albertans.” The impartial panel was appointed by the Alberta government in February 2007 to complete a thorough review of the province’s royalties and taxes on energy. Click here to read the presentation.

Energy position paper (PDF) - Drafted by the Council of Canadians’ Board-Staff Committee on Energy, August 2007

SECTIONS

Energy

October 24 International Day of Climate Action

WIN! Nova Scotia government announces plans for legislated ban on uranium mining and exploration

Prominent Canadian Artists, Athletes, Activists and Community Leaders to Obama: Green jobs, yes we can. Tar sands, no we can’t

The Council of Canadians has presented a written submission to the Ontario Government as part of the public consultation process to modernize the Ontario Mining Act.

FEATURES

Sign up for email updates,
e-newsletter, media, events:

HTML Text AOL

Search our site:

SECTIONS

Energy

October 24 International Day of Climate Action

WIN! Nova Scotia government announces plans for legislated ban on uranium mining and exploration

Prominent Canadian Artists, Athletes, Activists and Community Leaders to Obama: Green jobs, yes we can. Tar sands, no we can’t

The Council of Canadians has presented a written submission to the Ontario Government as part of the public consultation process to modernize the Ontario Mining Act.

FEATURES

Sign up for email updates, e-newsletter, media, events: HTML Text AOL

Search our site:

Sign up for email updates,
e-newsletter, media, events:

HTML Text AOL