MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES
JONATHAN WILKINSON The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss pose enormous threats to global security and economic well-being around the world. Canada, alongside others in the international community, must rapidly reduce carbon emissions to fight climate change and grow the clean economy. Confronting climate change in thoughtful ways offers the potential for significant economic opportunities for businesses, communities, and workers here in Canada and around the world. As we set sights toward net-zero by mid-century, our energy sector in Saskatchewan has already been playing – and will continue to play – a central role. I grew up in Saskatchewan, earned my bachelor’s degree at U of S, worked for the provincial government for a number of years, and spent many years in the business community. I know about life on the prairies: the sense of community, the resilience, and the innovative spirit we hold. Now, as Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, I am committed to working with the people, businesses, and government of Saskatchewan to harness those values and pave a pathway to a clean energy future. Before I got into politics, I spent almost two decades working as a CEO and senior executive in clean tech. I saw firsthand how economic opportunities, new revenue streams, and good jobs were created by developing technologies and innovations that could solve some of our biggest environmental challenges, whether it was biofuels, hydrogen, water treatment, or renewable energy. The potential is real, and it’s in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan’s potential for clean energy is in DEEP Earth Energy Production Corporation’s planned geothermal power production facility – a first of its kind in Canada – which will create new jobs in southern Saskatchewan, while eliminating the equivalent emissions of taking 34,000 cars off the road for one year. It’s in Covenant Energy’s planned biofuel plant, which will
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produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel from canola and cut emissions by 80 to 85 per cent when compared to fossil fuel diesel. And it’s in the skilled and innovative workers who will build a clean energy future that creates good jobs for workers right here at home. Clean energy jobs are predicted to double in Saskatchewan, and employment in hydrogen technologies is projected to grow 24 per cent annually in the second half of this decade – and our government is here to help. That’s why, since October 2020, we have announced over $53 billion towards a clean economic recovery that will expand on our success as: • the third-largest producer of hydroelectricity; • a global leader in new solar and wind power; and • a driver of clean fuels production, including hydrogen and biofuels. Let me be clear. The shift to a net-zero economy will not happen overnight. Many Canadians use oil and natural gas to heat their homes and businesses; even more use gasoline to power their vehicles for work and travel. But Canada’s leading oil and gas producers share our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 because they, too, know that’s where we must go in order to drive economic growth in the years and decades to come. Strategic investments will help Saskatchewan companies adopt innovative net-zero technologies, lower emissions, and attract the large-scale investments needed to reach our climate targets and ensure prosperity for families in all provinces and territories. Saskatchewan can lead the way on many fronts, from clean fuels and uranium to carbon capture, use and storage. This is no easy task, but together, we can build a cleaner, more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.
