Government Appoints Chair to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

Market Wire, June, 2008

Canada's Minister of the Environment, John Baird, today announced the appointment of Robert Page as chair of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). This appointment is effective immediately.

"Mr. Page brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise that will continue to greatly complement the work that the Round Table does," said Minister Baird. "As acting Chair since March of this year, it is clear that his combined abilities and understanding of the issues that the NRTEE addresses make him an ideal choice to help push forward the Round Table's agenda."

NRTEE is dedicated to exploring new opportunities to integrate environmental conservation and economic development in order to sustain Canada's prosperity and secure its future. Its mandate has recently been enhanced to provide advice to Canada's Government on Turning the Corner: An Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution.

NRTEE was created in October 1988 by then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and its independent role and mandate were enshrined in the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy Act. Its members are drawn from distinguished leaders in business and labour, universities, environmental organizations, Aboriginal communities and municipalities.

Biography

Robert Page, is currently the TransAlta Professor of Environmental Management and Sustainability, Energy and Environmental Systems Group, Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment, & Economy, University of Calgary, where he is also an Adjunct Professor in the Haskayne School of Business.

From 1997 to January 2007 he was the Vice President Sustainable Development, TransAlta Corporation, Calgary with operations in Canada, US, Mexico, and Australia. Dr Page, led their efforts on climate change, emissions, and sustainable development.

Prior to joining TransAlta in 1997, Dr. Page spent 25 years in consulting, academic teaching and research. Most recently, he was Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, where he taught in the Environmental Science program.

Dr. Page is known nationally and internationally for his work on energy and the environment in areas such as climate change, emissions trading, biodiversity and protected spaces, environmental impact assessment, and policy and regulation.

He is Chair of the Board of Directors of BIOCAP Canada, a national research partnership on biological carbon capture and bio-energy, and a past Chair of the Board of the International Emissions Trading Association (Geneva). Dr. Page also chaired the Banff Bow Valley Study (federal inquiry into the ecological intensity of Banff National Park) and served on the Alberta Special Places 2000 Committee.

Dr. Page's activities have been varied, and have included the Board of Directors of Clean Air Strategic Alliance of Alberta (CASA), the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Business Environmental Leadership Council, (Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Washington, DC) and the Canadian Water Network. He is also a member of the Environment Committee of the National Chamber of Commerce and the Banff Calgary Board of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

Dr. Page has served for the Government of Canada in international negotiations on the Conference of the Parties for Kyoto, the NAFTA negotiations, and trade and the environment. He is the author of many articles and several books on energy and the environment, and has been recognized nationally and internationally for his work.

Dr. Page holds an honours Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Arts degree from Queen's University and a doctorate (international relations) from Oxford University. He and his wife Jocelyne spend free time roaming the wilds of the Rockies and the Shield Country of Ontario.

Egalement offert en francais

Contacts: Office of the Minister of the Environment Eric Richer Press Secretary 819-997-1441 Environment Canada Media Relations 819-934-8008 1-888-908-8008 www.ec.gc.ca