Analysis and Review of Canadian Think Tank Climate Change and Energy Reports for the Banff Dialogue

The document analyzes a body of literature from Canadian think tanks, identifying a tension between a 'climate view' (top-down carbon pricing) and an 'energy view' (market-driven supply). It argues for a forward-looking national energy strategy that reconciles Canadian supply expansion with global clean energy demand, emphasizing the need for intergovernmental cooperation between federal, provincial, and territorial governments to overcome regulatory fragmentation and protect trade interests, particularly with the United States.

• The literature reveals a fundamental disconnect between the 'climate view', which emphasizes top-down carbon pricing to shape energy development, and the 'energy view', which focuses on market-based policies that have historically established Canada as an energy superpower.
• There is a strong consensus in the reviewed reports that Canada must collaborate with the United States on energy and climate strategy to protect trade interests and avoid potential U.S. trade sanctions.
• The reports highlight a critical need for a coordinated policy framework to resolve dysfunctional relations and overlapping responsibilities between federal, provincial, and territorial (FTP) governments, which currently impede the success of a national strategy.
• A recurring theme is the necessity of updating Canada's energy infrastructure and streamlining regulatory approvals to maintain competitiveness, as current regulatory complexity creates unpredictable lead times for capital investments.
• While many reports focus on carbon policy, those addressing energy specifically advocate for a market-based approach to supply decisions, ensuring a level playing field for all energy sources, including renewables.
• The analysis suggests that Canada's future competitiveness will depend on shifting from a commodity-based energy package toward one based on capital, technology, and expertise.

APA

Sawyer, D., & Gass, P. (2010). Analysis and Review of Canadian Think Tank Climate Change and Energy Reports for the Banff Dialogue. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/banff_dialogue_analysis_canadian_think_tank.pdf

Chicago

Sawyer, Dave, and Philip Gass. Analysis and Review of Canadian Think Tank Climate Change and Energy Reports for the Banff Dialogue. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2010. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/banff_dialogue_analysis_canadian_think_tank.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sawyer |first1=Dave |last2=Gass |first2=Philip |title=Analysis and Review of Canadian Think Tank Climate Change and Energy Reports for the Banff Dialogue |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2010 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/banff_dialogue_analysis_canadian_think_tank.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sawyer2010analysis, author = {Sawyer, Dave and Gass, Philip}, title = {{Analysis and Review of Canadian Think Tank Climate Change and Energy Reports for the Banff Dialogue}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2010}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/banff_dialogue_analysis_canadian_think_tank.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }