Leading the way
Federal environment minister praises P.E.I. for sustainable innovation
Islanders live up to their reputation when it comes to environmental sustainability, says federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.
McKenna made the remark while praising the province for its wind energy initiatives and waste program during a welcoming reception for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) at Greenwich Interpretation Centre last night.
McKenna, who was in the province for the first time, had toured a wind farm in Summerside earlier in the day.
She was impressed. “You might be small, but you’re mighty, you’re innovative and I’m going to be telling this story around Canada but also around the world,” said McKenna.
According to provincial figures, P.E.I. gets more than 30
per cent of its electricity from renewable resources.
It was one of the reasons P.E.I. was selected to host the tri-national event, which sees representatives from Canada, Mexico and the U.S.A. collaborate on environmental
protection and conservation.
This year is the group’s 24th meeting after forming in 1994 to address environmental issues that cross North American borders.
McKenna said the other decision to host the event in P.E.I. was to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan said those in the conference work across borders to find solutions that address future global concerns.
He thanked McKenna for bringing the conference to P.E.I. and said he was proud of the province’s “historic record of environmental development.”
“That comes with being an Island. We’re acutely aware of the land, the sea, the air and the water and, in that sense, our province has been a leader in renewable energy,” said MacLauchlan, who noted Islanders produce the least waste per capita of any Canadian province through its waste management system.
According to provincial figures, Islanders also produce a smaller amount of carbon emissions when compared to the average Canadian.
MacLauchlan said Islanders’ public engagement on environmental protection stems from the fact it’s a small province.
“People are more aware of our surroundings and of our ability to work together. In doing so, we’ve produced a mighty record of achievement of environment resilience,” said MacLauchlan.
“As our three countries come together, we realize we are closely interconnected environmentally and also that we are closely connected in our economies.”
McKenna said the theme of this year’s conference was “harnessing local innovation for a healthy future.”
She praised P.E.I. for its innovation.
“I think a lot of focus on innovation is sometimes on big provinces, big cities and what they’re doing. But I think P.E.I. proves that you’re really punching above your weight and that innovation is often local,” she said.
“When you’re an Island, as you said premier, you have to come together.”
McKenna will lead a public session during the conference today at UPEI.
More information on the conference is available at www.cec. org.