Premier Rodney MacDonald hosted a successful national energy efficiency conference on November 3-4, 2008 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The conference brought together ministers, parliamentary secretaries and government program experts from every jurisdiction in Canada. In addition, Premier Floyd Roland, of the North West Territories also attended the conference.
Climate Change is a priority for the Council of the Federation (COF), particularly increasing energy efficiency. At the Council of the Federation's summer 2008 meeting in Quebec City, Premiers agreed to a five point plan aimed to increase energy efficiency by 20% by the year 2020. Premier MacDonald also committed to hosting an energy efficiency conference in fall 2008 to share governments' best practices and explore ways to reduce and use energy more efficiently. Provincial and territorial governments showcased and shared energy efficiency best practices. Governments identified cost-saving measures and greenhouse gas emission reduction mechanisms.
Delegates also heard from two industry experts. Ralph Torrie, VP ICF International, an expert in the field of energy and environment provided scientific data and challenged governments to continue to take action. Gerald Protti, Executive VP at EnCana and Energy Sector Sustainability Table co-chair, discussed the recommendations from the energy sector sustainability table working group report and shared energy efficiency practices at EnCana.
The conference was chaired by Honourable Richard Hurlburt, Minister of Energy and Minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia. Minister Mark Parent, Minister of the Environment served as facilitator for the panel discussions. Premier MacDonald will report back on the conference to COF at their next meeting.
Nova Scotia is setting a corporate path and is serious about moving to a greener future. Conserve Nova Scotia was established in the fall 2006 with a mandate to help Nova Scotians learn ways to use energy more efficiently while at the same time reducing GHG's. The Province of Nova Scotia was also one of the first jurisdictions in the country to pass environmental legislation establishing 21 goals aimed at sustaining the environment and the economy.