Canada’s federal and provincial governments are actively developing a national energy strategy, and there are compelling reasons for municipalities to become a bigger part of this conversation. Municipalities can play an important role in ensuring that a Canadian energy strategy addresses the roles and interests of local communities across Canada.
Local governments have key stakes in ensuring stable, sustainable, and affordable energy supplies, and have important roles to play in national energy discussions as energy producers and consumers, and also as representatives of community interests. They are well positioned to help develop, implement and benefit from better choices in the direction of Canada’s energy policy.
A national energy strategy could be a powerful tool to signal long-term policy direction, and allow all levels of government (as well as the private sector) to move forward with clarity and certainty as we build a clean energy future and craft a response to the threat of climate change.