Canadian Chamber of Commerce publishes report on energy prosperity
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce published a report this week on the Canadian energy sector, entitled “Powering up Canadian Prosperity: Growing the Energy Sector Value Chain.”
The report recognized the energy sector as a competitive advantage for Canada, and discussed ways that the Canadian energy industry can continue to be sustainably developed, primarily through a focus on growth in value-added areas such as renewable energy and bitumen upgrading.
The report’s recommendations included:
- The federal government should expand access to accelerated capital cost allowances for value-added energy projects such as advanced manufacturing, carbon capture and storage, and upgrading and refining
- All levels of government should work towards harmonization of regulation and environmental assessments
- All levels of government should continue to provide financing and incentives for research, development and commercialization of new energy technologies
- Invest should continue in smart electricity infrastructure and the improvement of east-west linkages across Canada
- Governments should encourage the development of energy-sector clusters with adequate infrastructure
- A cross-Canada agreement to recognize credentials for skilled workers should be developed
- Governments should consider the entire energy sector value chain when developing policies, including an overall national energy strategy
