The Canadian government is developing the Canadian Center for Energy Information, a web site designed to provide Canadians with access to independent and credible information and expert analyses on which to base important decisions for businesses, communities, and the environment.
The CCEI, a partnership between Natural Resources Canada and Statistics Canada, where it will be housed, received $15.2 million over 5 years in this year’s budget. It will be guided by a joint federal-provincial-territorial steering committee and will seek advice from Canadians, Indigenous peoples, industry, academics, and municipalities.
The site aims to:
• Compile, reconcile, and integrate energy data from various Canadian sources.
• Make data from multiple providers available free of charge on a one-stop, user-friendly website.
• Work collaboratively to harmonize energy definitions, measurements, and standards.
• Provide remote access for researchers to microdata on a secure collaboration platform.
• Improve the completeness, coherence, and timeliness of Canada’s energy information.
• Provide new data products, visualization tools, and expert analyses in support of modeling and forecasting.
Canada’s energy sector accounts for nearly 820,000 jobs and 11% of gross domestic product and plays a key role in the development of solutions to address climate change, Natural Resources Canada said in a press statement.
"The need to improve energy information was recognized by the Generation Energy Council, which proposed pathways for the government of Canada to move forward toward a strong, clean, energy economy,” said Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. In addition to providing information, the CCEI will “enhance competitiveness, international trade, and investment,” Sohi said.
