Last month, Canada’s provincial and territorial leaders met in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI), our smallest province and the home of Canadian federation, to work on a re-vamped roadmap to Canada’s future. As is normal, the federal government was not represented. The agenda was varied and as a true plus, the group reached a unified deal on a national energy strategy that addresses climate change. A deal that would be put at the doorstep of the ruling federal conservative party.
The Canadian Energy Strategy will be very good news for the environment and should effectively lift some of the burdens faced by energy consumers. Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne stated, “If we can have good working relationships across the country with businesses and governments in all of the provinces and territories, we stand to gain.”1
The vision statement emphasizes the importance of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. “We stand to develop markets, we stand to develop partnerships that will allow for investment and we stand potentially to put together energy deals that would actually help the price of energy in Ontario,” she continued. “It calls for a transition to a lower carbon economy through appropriate initiatives, such as carbon pricing, carbon capture and storage and other technological innovations.”
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said the provinces and territories can proceed without any input from the federal government. “I don’t think we want Ottawa setting the price for carbon,” said Wall, adding a one-size- fits-all approach wouldn’t work because each province is unique. “There’s a determination on the part of the provinces to deal with the issue. We each have different economies, different energy profiles, and we’re each serious about the issue.”
Christy Clark, British Columbia’s Premier explained that her province has had a carbon tax for some time and the economy has continued to grow at the same time their GHGs are being reduced. Clark, in concert with her fellow Premiers also praised Quebec’s Premier Philippe Couillard for his infusion of new blood and new ideas into the Council of the Federation. “We are delighted that Quebec has signed onto this. It’s a watershed moment around the premiers’ table,” she said.
An unexpected bonus showed itself when Premier Wynne and Couillard decided to explore shared interests in an effort to rejuvenate Quebec’s position at Canada’s provincial table. Both leaders scored stunning upsets at their respective elections earlier this year so can bring the full force of their respective governments to bear on any issue. The previous Premier of Quebec refused to participate in any initiative with Canada’s other constituents concerning the link between the environment and an energy strategy. Couillard remarked, “For ordinary Canadians – on top of being offered a greater guarantee of a sustainable environment and development – it’s also a fact that we want Canadians to have access to energy of all kinds from the west coast to the east coast and up to the north.”
Ontario and Quebec are quietly building a new and very important ‘geopolitical’ alliance under Liberal interests based on the realignment of political views and advantages after years of ignoring one another. This coming together of the country’s two largest provinces under such powerful leaders is having an impact as the rest of the nation takes notice of this combined political strength that has the staying power to make a real difference. At the very least, Quebec is no longer talking separation and both provinces have vowed to make sure their creative and intellectual energies produce longer lasting legacy of togetherness than previous attempts. They both insist the future will be built on a common purpose.
“It’s not only about style and photo-ops – it’s about substance,” Premier Couillard says. “On most topics – whether it’s internal trade, energy, climate change – we see things quite similarly and I think the relationship between Madame Wynne and myself is quite solid… What I like is that we are both results-oriented more than process-oriented and we can speak frankly to one another.”2 Both leaders will rely heavily on their expertise in handling business matters to ensure success.
Wynne went on to say, “The first similarity that I notice is I believe we are both pretty practical people, we’re both looking for ways to solve problems in the most efficient and effective way possible.
They are talking amicably about high-tension transmission lines to take advantage of Quebec’s hydroelectric surplus amid rising energy costs in Ontario. It will take a lot of work on both sides to finally do a deal that has eluded the two neighbouring jurisdictions for decades – Quebec bogged down in political separatism and Ontario handicapped by its own energy isolationism? The two leaders will meet again this month to saw-off details of an energy accord. Both are confident each will walk away from the table happy. Both will remember, however, the less than ideal relationship they have to kick to the side as the two powerful provinces move forward. On his relationship with Kathleen Wynne, Mr. Couillard remarked, “On most topics… we see things quite similarly and I think the relationship between Madame Wynne and myself is quite solid.”
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said the provinces and territories can proceed without any input from the federal government. “I don’t think we want Ottawa setting the price for carbon,” said Wall, adding a one-size fits all approach won’t wouldn’t work because each province is unique. “There’s a determination on the part of the provinces to deal with the issue. We each have different economies, different energy profiles and we’re each serious about the issue.”
Christy Clark, British Columbia’s Premier explained that her province has had a carbon tax for some time and the province’s economy has continued to grow at the same time their GHGs are being reduced. Clark, in concert with her fellow Premiers also praised Couillard for his infusion of new blood and new ideas into the Council of the Federation. “We are delighted that Quebec has signed onto this. It’s a watershed moment around the premiers’ table,” she said.
One of the first items on the Ontario/Quebec agenda was to push back against Alberta’s drive for a national energy policy that emphasized production but couldn’t care less about pollution. The alliance insisted on linking increased energy output with abatement of GHGs.
This type of commitment led Alberta Premier Dave Hancock to admit this is a very exciting time and stated, “The whole country is committed to dealing with energy in terms of market access but also in terms of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and climate-change issues.”
Wynne wants to keep the dialogue going – thinking about and working towards the potential energy synergy that has thus far been the kiss of death. “What I do know is that the door is open and we are going to at least have the discussion.” The accord will be finalized when the provincial and territorial leaders meet again next summer. I look forward to seeing our energy future finally put on paper.
1 Benzie, R. “Premiers reach watershed energy agreement.” Toronto Star (August 30, 2014): A6
2 Cohn, M.R. “Quebec, Ontario tap into shared interests.” Toronto Star (August 30, 2014): A6
