Background

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: First Nations
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.644.7736; http://www.energy.gov.ab.ca/Org/pdfs/BC_AB_Q1Report.pdf

British Columbia (B.C.) and Alberta agree that opening new global markets for energy resources will help grow the Canadian economy. Both provinces aim to become global energy leaders. This requires the continued proactive strengthening of relations between the two provinces, other governments, First Nations and key stakeholders. In July 2013, the Premiers of B.C. and Alberta formed a Deputy Ministers Working Group (DMWG), which was mandated to develop recommendations and an action plan related to energy exports and opening new export markets for B.C. and Alberta. A final report was released by Premier Clark and Premier Redford on January 27, 2014. In it, the five working group teams were directed to meet the objectives outlined in the report over a six to eighteen month period. In November 2013 the two Premiers met, with Alberta agreeing that B.C.’s five conditions are intended to ensure the responsible production of energy as well as its safe transport to new markets, and B.C. agreeing to endorse the Canadian Energy Strategy (CES). Two significant benefits of the B.C. and Alberta dialogue is B.C.’s active involvement in the CES with representatives on all ten CES teams, and Alberta’s engagement with B.C. on common initiatives stemming from B.C.’s five requirements for considering support for heavy oil pipelines (i.e., marine and terrestrial spillage).