Energy security is directly linked to economic competitiveness and job growth. The energy sector is a cornerstone of our prosperity. It plays a critical role for Canada in serving the energy needs of all Canadians and in generating major income. There is virtually no country in the world that does not look at our energy inheritance with envy.
In 2009, we released a report, Powering Up Canadian Prosperity, that called for all levels of government to come together with stakeholders, including the business community, to develop a Canadian sustainable energy strategy-a strategy that would ensure that Canada would continue to have a strong and vibrant energy industry that would help grow our economy and meet our future energy needs. We are still waiting, but see signs of progress! More recently, a number of business and poltical leaders have become more vocal about the need for an overall energy strategy. What we have in mind is not simply a federal government policy to be imposed on the regions, but a truly national strategy in which all regions are full partners. Nor must its purpose be to simply transfer the resource wealth from one region to another, but to respect our constitution and to recognize that rising prosperity in one region will also lead to opportunities in the rest.
Energy ministers from across the country are meeting in Kananaskis starting this weekend to discuss the development of a Canadian energy strategy. Leading up to that meeting, we at the Canadian Chamber have continued to send our message to governments on the business community’s position on what must be included in any strategy at the national level. It is vital that they understand how fundamental energy is to the competitiveness of every Canadian business and to the success of our entire economy.
But beyond the strategy, the question we have to ask ourselves is: does the federal government have a role to play in promoting and assisting the energy sector? And also, how can the Canadian Chamber best continue to play a role in all of this?
With the stability of new majority government in Ottawa, Prime Minister Harper and his team have the opportunity and the responsibility to deliver on their commitment to Canadians to create jobs and foster prosperity. Energy is an essential part of the formula.
We will continue to stress to the government how important this issue is to business. We have been encouraging all businesses to look at their own energy needs and ask themselves how they can contribute to the strategy, including by working together on innovations that benefit both Canada’s energy producers and its users.
Canada’s energy future is in our hands and the time for action is now.
-Perrin
On July 9, the government published regulations that will implement the long-anticipated anti-spam legislation. Interested parties are invited to review the regulations and provide any comments no later than September 9. The Canadian Chamber is pleased that the government is moving ahead with its promise to help stop spam, a problem for many businesses of all sizes across Canada.
The business community has pressed for government action to address spam and other related online threats for many years. I’m pleased that the government is acting to make the Internet safer and more secure. Making the online environment safer for Canadians and Canadian businesses has been a priority for the Canadian Chamber.
The Canadian Chamber was a key participant in the 2005 federal Spam Task Force that recommended action to stop spam, spyware and trojan horses from infecting computer systems. Spam is defined as unsolicited electronic communication that could not be reasonably assumed to be wanted or expected by the recipient. Spam thus has a personal component, based on the individual’s preferences. In many cases, spam is deceptive or contains viruses. It is this spam that causes security problems for firms and clogs networks.
We welcome the government’s initiative to implement this legislation and look forward to providing constructive comments to ensure the implementation goes smoothly and will not add any additional burden to businesses that will have to comply with this legislation.
- Perrin
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest crude oil consumer and the third largest natural gas user in the world. In 2010, the region is estimated to have used 23 million barrels of oil a day. As one of the world’s largest energy producers, Canada can achieve enormous economic benefits by serving the Pacific Rim.
The Northern Gateway Pipeline is an initiative to link Canada’s vast energy reserves with the global markets. With the potential to generate thousands of construction jobs and a $270 billion increase to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product over 30 years, the advantages from Northern Gateway can benefit all Canadians.
The project is not without its critics, including those who would simply ban tanker traffic off Canada’s west coast. However, sea transportation of the world’s petroleum products has long been accepted as a means of serving world markets. In fact, tankers and vessels have safely transported oil in BC waters for decades. There is a voluntary agreement that tanker traffic from Alaska to the lower 48 U.S. states should avoid inshore routes, but there is no ‘tanker ban’ or legislated moratorium - as is often claimed by opponents of Canadian oil exports.
The potential benefits for BC communities are vast. As Canada’s Building Trades Unions note, “If this project goes ahead, it represents a significant opportunity for skilled trades in Canada.” The project proposes significant benefits for Aboriginal Canadians along the right of way, with a ten percent ownership in the venture, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in procurement and jobs. Northern BC is in desperate need of new investments and new opportunities for its residents to earn a living. Northern Gateway will help bring economic security and hope to the region.
Rejecting this option would mean denying opportunity for First Nations, unions and workers and communities in need of jobs. It would also be a loss of $2.6 billion in revenues to governments that could be used to pay for important public investments like hospitals, roads, schools and social programs.
Protecting Canada’s incredible natural heritage must be a national priority, and as Parks Canada celebrates its 100th birthday, we are reminded of the importance of safeguarding that heritage for future generations. But we need not choose between our natural inheritance and a decent standard of living for our citizens. If we plan properly and responsibly, we can have both.
All human activity creates environmental impacts that must be addressed and managed rigorously. Northern Gateway has already outlined some of the safety measures that it will ensure are present, including new navigational aids, radar system improvements and an enhanced emergency response that will significantly improve safety, not just for the project, but for all shipping on BC’s north coast. There is plenty of room to discuss how to ensure that we meet the highest possible standards of environmental protection, but the starting point can’t be a flat refusal to talk to one another.
Northern Gateway will be required to pass an extensive and vigorous study by an independent Joint Review Panel established by the federal government. This process is specifically designed to thoroughly test all aspects of the project - in detail and in public. It enables everyone to have their questions answered and concerns addressed. As part of this public process, the company will have to prove that it can meet the highest standards in environmental protection and safety or the project will not proceed.
It is time for an open and frank discussion to begin. All Canadians - and particularly British Columbians—will benefit if we work together to both protect our heritage and create a more prosperous future for our families.
Perrin Beatty
President and CEO, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
We urge all MPs to support the legislation tabled earlier this afternoon by Labour Minister Lisa Raitt, mandating Canada Post employees to go back to work. We are hearing from chambers of commerce throughout the country that they and their member businesses are feeling the impact of having no postal service. The pain is most acute for small businesses that depend upon postal service for their supplies, cash receivables or getting their products to customers.
A disruption in postal service is a hurdle that businesses do not need and many cannot afford as they try to work their way out of the recession and through a fragile economic recovery. Many businesses are forced to find alternatives to keep themselves afloat. It is in the best interests of Canada Post, its employees and its customers to get postal service up and running again as quickly as possible.
- Perrin
Today’s Speech from the Throne, “Here for all Canadians. Stability. Prosperity. Security.”, stresses the government’s focus on Canada’s economic recovery in the short-term. At the same time, the government has said it intends to take steps to pave the way for the long-term competitiveness necessary to maintaining our positive international economic position. We cannot be complacent and risk economic peril if we do not address our lagging productivity.
Canadian businesses are pleased that the government plans to implement the measures proposed in its March 22 budget which will move Canada forward in balancing its books without increasing taxes on businesses and families. The Canadian Chamber believes this approach is crucial to our long-term economic growth and competitiveness. Just as important is the government’s commitment to restraining its own spending.
We are pleased to see the government is committed to moving ahead on other fronts that will help Canada’s businesses as they work to improve their productivity and competitiveness, including our all-important relationship with the U.S. and making border points more secure and efficient; broadening our trade horizons with commitments to conclude trade agreements with the European Union in 2012 and India in 2013; and measures to address our demographic challenges that will support those who wish to obtain new skills and encourage older workers to remain in the workforce.
Innovation is a fundamental building block to gaining the edge we need to ensure we can face down the competitive challenges posed by emerging economies. Homegrown innovation must be rewarded and protected and we are pleased the government will act quickly to re-introduce updated and improved copyright legislation, as well as make targeted investments in both private sector and academic R&D.
Canada’s long-term economic recovery and competitiveness will depend upon the private sector as government stimulus programs - quite rightly - wind down later this year.
We look forward to seeing the details of the government’s economic strategy in the Federal Budget on June 6.
-Perrin
