Changing The Climate: Canada's New Energy Environment

Canada needs a vision of energy and climate change that recognizes the interdependency of Canadian and U.S. energy systems, encourages continuous improvement of environmental performance, and drives technology development. This vision should not adversely affect North American trade relations or create regional disparities.

The Changing The Climate policy and event series brings together the business community, a leading public policy institute, and international thought leaders to explore these key themes, including:

• Continental energy and climate change policy - to what extent should Canada harmonize with the U.S.?
• Canadian domestic energy and environmental policy - how can regional and provincial disparities be minimized?
• Economic implications - what is the cost to consumers?
• Energy technology and economic transformation - what is the potential of new technology in carbon reduction and the role of green energy and jobs in the new economy?

Changing The Climate explores these topics through a variety of keynote presentations, policy dialogue roundtables, workshops and public policy research.

The program launched in May 2010 and will conclude with the release of a joint Canada West Foundation-Calgary Chamber of Commerce policy paper (encompassing expert commentary from the series and strategic recommendations) at the final series event in November.

Speakers

Laura Lochman, Consul General of the United States for Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories
Topic: National U.S. climate change and energy policy
May 10, 2010 - Keynote Breakfast Event
Copy of speech

Eric Newell, Chairman, Alberta Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation
Topic: Developing clean energy to address Alberta’s climate change challenges, and support Alberta’s green economy and green jobs
June 14, 2010 - Keynote Luncheon Event
Copy of speech

Jim Carter, Chairman, Alberta Carbon Capture and Storage Development Council and Ian MacGregor, Chair of Enhance Energy
Topic: Carbon capture and storage: A promising technology for the environment and the economy
June 18, 2010 - Keynote Luncheon Panel
Jim Carter's presentation slides
Ian MacGregor's presentation slides

Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Gary Doer, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States of America
Topic: Canada and U.S. energy and climate change policy: Mitigating environmental impacts, and ensuring Canadian
business success
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - Keynote Luncheon Panel

T. Boone Pickens, Chairman of BP Capital
Topic: The Future of energy, energy security and Canada’s role in a North American energy strategy
September 22, 2010 - Keynote Luncheon Event

Policy Development Workshop
November / December 2010

Roger Gibbins, President & CEO of the Canada West Foundation, with special guest panellists to be confirmed
Topic: Is it time for a Canadian energy strategy?
2011 - Keynote Luncheon Panel

Canada West Foundation and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Topic: Conclusions and recommendations for changing the climate in Canada
2011 - Panel Luncheon and Report Launch

What's New

Article: June 30, 2010
Alberta tech fund boss: Technology key to clean energy future

Article: June 30, 2010
Entrepreneur aims to turn carbon dioxide from pollutant to economic driver

Article: May 28, 2010
Changing The Climate initiative launched with Lochman event

News Release: May 10, 2010
New policy and speaker series will contribute ideas to national energy and climate change policy development