May 24, 2013, Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario, Canada – Senior government and industry leaders endorsed the urgent need to increase the economic benefits that flow to Canada from the development of our energy resources, on May 21-22 in Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario. Keynote speakers were The Honourable Frank McKenna (Deputy Chair, TD Bank Group), Senator Elaine McCoy, and Jim Stanford (Economist CAW). Highlights are:
1. Lack of access to international pricing for Canada’s oil products represents a value destruction of $20 to $30 billion per year.
2. An expanded pan-Canadian pipeline network is key to accessing both domestic and growing global markets.
3. Canada should launch national-scale energy projects as the foundation of its energy strategy and its pathway to sustainable wealth creation and jobs.
4. The Ontario and Alberta governments commit to dramatically enhance their value-added collaboration to improve energy supply chain opportunities, to enhance transportation networks and to develop new energy efficient and environmentally advanced technology.
5. A Sarnia/Lambton bitumen upgrading project to produce refinery ready crudes was identified as a high priority national-scale project, with a call for action, with strong support by a committed region.
6. Delegates urged Canada to shift to a more diversified value-added economy, away from its historic staple-based economy.
7. An Alberta Government/Industry study is being launched to identify pathways to increase the competiveness of oil sand products in North American and International markets.
8. New technology is key for the long term sustainable development of Canada’s natural resources. (The COSIA initiative was identified as an example of the commitment of oil companies to collaborate and share advances in improving environmental performance).
Contact:
Walter F. Petryschuk, Conference Chair
519 542-5137
walter.petryschuk@sympatico.ca
Associate, Bowman Centre
Member, The Canadian Academy of Engineering’s Energy Task Force
www.canadabitumen.com
