Canada: Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity Congratulates New Liberal Government

While Canada is a recognized global leader in renewable electricity production, abundant opportunities remain to clean up our remaining fossil-fuel dependent grids, and to further electrify and decarbonize our economy. We look forward to the Liberal government’s efforts to capitalize on the economic opportunity and environmental benefit presented by renewable electricity.

Liberal campaign promises on climate change and renewable energy included:

• Development of a new pan-Canadian framework to address climate change,
• A $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Trust to fund projects that reduce carbon pollution,
• Collaboration with the provinces to implement a Canadian Energy Strategy, including the use of more clean, renewable electricity generation,
• Investment of an additional $100 million per year in clean tech growth and development and efforts with the private sector to unlock venture capital,
• Shifting subsidies from fossil fuels to new and clean technology,
• Green bonds for community-based renewable energy projects,
• Clean technology procurement within government, electric vehicle charging stations, electrification of the federal vehicle fleet, energy efficiency initiatives, and exploration of opportunities for clean technology exports.

QUOTES

“The Liberal party has made clean job creation a centerpiece of its economic strategy. More than $30 billion has been invested in Canada’s renewable electricity sector over the past five years, bringing tens of thousands of new good-paying jobs and millions of dollars in direct benefits to communities across the country. The new government has an opportunity to work with the provinces to build on this strong foundation and make Canada a leader in the global shift to a clean energy economy.”

– Robert Hornung, President, Canadian Wind Energy Association

“The upcoming international meetings on climate change in Paris in December will shine a spotlight on the new government’s strategy for tackling this urgent environmental challenge. Maximizing the use of renewable electricity ensures that greenhouse gas emission reductions are not only immediate, but sustainable over the long term. It also sets the stage for greater emissions reductions across the economy, as renewable electricity is increasingly used to power transportation, buildings and industry.”

– John Gorman, President, Canadian Solar Industries Association

“The Liberal government’s plan to invest in new green infrastructure and help bring more clean, renewable energy into the electricity grid is an opportunity to create a diverse, flexible, reliable, and affordable power supply mix that carries no fuel or carbon price risk. This not only benefits Canadians, but also positions the country’s clean electricity sector to tap into new export opportunities as the U.S. looks to reduce emissions from fossil fuel generation.”

– Jacob Irving, President, Canadian Hydropower Association

“The new government has made it clear it wants to be a full partner with the provinces in the ongoing development of a Canadian Energy Strategy, and that involvement can help advance many of its policy priorities. Renewable electricity development will create jobs, spur innovation and drive investment in clean technologies, all while diversifying Canada’s energy economy to capitalize on the growing demand for clean energy solutions.”

– Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada

KEY FACTS

• Renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, and water currently meet 65 percent of Canada’s electricity needs.
• Canada has the cleanest, most renewable electricity generation system in the G7, and the fourth largest renewable energy capacity in the world.
• Canada is an attractive country for renewable-energy investment, ranking 6th in the world in a recent assessment by Ernst & Young. (Source: Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index, Ernst & Young, 2015.)
• Between 2010 and 2014, investors moved $31 billion into Canadian renewable electricity projects. (Source: Tracking the Energy Revolution – Canada, Clean Energy Canada, 2015.)
• A recent report for the United Nations identified boosting renewable electricity production—in combination with electrifying buildings, industry, and transportation—as a key step on a path Canada can take to “decarbonize” its economy. (Source: Pathways to Deep Decarbonization – Canada Chapter, Sustainable Development Solutions Network & Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, 2014.)
• A recent study by more than 60 of Canada’s leading academics identified renewable electricity as a key climate change solution. They note that Canada could completely decarbonize its electricity systems by 2035, which would make it possible for our country to adopt long-term pollution reduction targets consistent with our international obligations to act on climate disruption. (Source: Acting on Climate Change – Solutions from Canadian Scholars, Sustainable Canada Dialogues, 2015.)

ABOUT THE COUNCIL

An initiative of Canada’s leading, national renewable electricity associations, the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity works to build public support for increased development of our abundant renewable electricity resources in order to further decarbonize North America’s energy system.

The founding members of the Council are the Canadian Hydropower Association, Canadian Solar Industries Association, Canadian Wind Energy Association, and Marine Renewables Canada. Clean Energy Canada, a program of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue, provides Secretariat support to the Council.

The Council can be found at www.renewableelectricity.ca and electriciterenouvelable.ca, and on Twitter @RenewableCanada.