Workshop: A common energy policy for Eastern Canada : what is there to gain?
Université de Montréal, November 3rd 2014
The goal of this workshop is to establish what form a common energy policy for the eastern provinces of Canada — from Manitoba to Newfoundland and Labrador — should take and to establish whether such a move could lead to overal net benefits for the population of these provinces.
Click here for the documentation associated with the workhop.
Articles in this section
Why this workshop?
Canadian energy policy is still developed province by province with remarkably little coordination between the various provincial governments. The absence of regional planning is striking when one compares with a number of regions in the United States, but also with Europe in general. These numerous examples show that, in some cases at least, coordination on energy policy can deliver clear economic and environmental advantages, allowing a more optimal use of renewable energies, for example.
What could a regional energy policy for Eastern Canada be in view of the major changes that taking place in the North American energy context? And would it really provide significant advantages for the various provinces? If so, what are the technical and political challenges that are limiting the development of such a policy? If not, is the current level of policies appropriate?
These are the core questions that this workshop will attemp to answer.
Part of national initiative on climate changes
This workshop is organized as part of a large Canadian initiative on the development of a Canadian policy on climate change that is lead by Professor Catherine Potvin, from McGill University, and supported by the Trottier Institute for Science and Public Policy.
Overall, the initiative aims at launching a national discussion on what actions Canada should take with respect to climate change and to bring researchers from across disciplines to participate in a more active way to the dialog. Indeed, while the research community in a number of countries is involved in the public debate over climate change, Canadian researchers as a group have not yet established themselves as an important voice in the national discussions.
A number of activities will take place over the coming year, with the goal of bringing a more scientific contribution to Canada’s position at the next international conference on climate change that will be held in Paris at the end of 2015. The full program will be announced soon.
Format
The format of the workshop will emphasize discussions, with round tables and group exchanges with the goal of highlighting the interest for such a policy and, if positive, what could the main lines.
To favor discussion, all participants are encouraged to provide relevant documents and information prior to the meeting. This will ensure that all participants have the necessary background before arriving at the workshop, allowing more enlightened and efficient exchanges.
Since the workshop will be held at the Carefour des arts et des sciences of Université de Montréal, participation via videoconference will also be possible for participants who cannot attend in person.
Programme
Before the workshop: Oct. 20th deadline
This workshop will favor exchanges. This is why participants will be invited to submit your thoughts, positions and any information the participants think is relevant with respect to the benefits, challenges and orientations associated with the development of a common energy policy for Eastern Canada before the meeting (with an Oct. 20th target), so that everyone will be able to known where you stand before the workshop.
This documentation can be in any format, and can include work previously published or prepared : reprints, powerpoint, video, notes, etc. It does not have to be fully formatted. It can also be documents not from the participant by that she or he judges relevant. As much as possible, I will make this information available on the website.
November 3rd meeting
| 8:30 |
Registration |
| 9:00 |
Welcome |
| 9:15 |
Each participant presents herself/himself |
| 9:30 |
What is there to gain from a common energy policy? (round table) |
| 10:45 |
Coffee Break |
| 11:45 |
What should be the common ideal energy policy? (round table) |
| 12:30 |
Lunch (buffet) |
| 13:30 |
Technical, political and economical hurdles, challenges and transformations(round table) |
| 15:00 |
Coffe Break |
| 15:30 |
A realistic energy policy for Eastern Canada - directions, first steps, etc. (round table) |
| 16:45 |
Wrap up |
| 17:15 |
Closing remarks |
| 17:30 |
End |
Participants
Location
The workshop will be held at the Carrefour des sciences of Université de Montréal.
Room C2059
Pavillon Lionel-Groulx
3150, rue Jean-Brillant
Montréal QC
H3T 1N8
Contact
This workshop is organized by Normand Mousseau with the help of Catherine Potving. Click here to send contact one of the organizers.
Funding
Accomodation
For those who need to spend a night in Montreal, the choice of hotel is vast. Since the meeting will be held at Université de Montréal, a few minutes from metro stations Côte-des-neiges et Université de Montréal, almost any hotel in downtown is appropriate.
At walking distance from the meeting place, we find a reasonable hotel, not luxurious but with large bedroom:
Hôtel Terrasse-Royale
5225 Côte-des-Neiges
Montréal
QC
Telephone : (514) 739-6391
Free line : 1-800-567-0804
Fax : (514) 342-2512
info@terrasse-royale.com
http://www.terrasse-royale.com
It is also possible to stay at the hotel run by the Institut d’hôtellerie du Québec, easily accessible by subway:
Hôtel de l’Institut
3535, rue Saint-Denis
Montréal (Québec) H2X 3P1
Phone : 514 282-5120
800-line : 1 855 229-8189
Fax : 514 873-9893
hotel@ithq.qc.ca
http://www.ithq.qc.ca/hotel/
François Bouffard (McGill)