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Canadian Industry Marches On

Posted: December 8, 2008 at 10:25 AM CST

It is with interest that I watch the recent happenings of Canadian federal government. Last week Prime Minister Stephen Harper suspended Parliament amidst the possibility of a new election or no-confidence vote that would likely result in his loss of power. I’ll admit, I don’t pretend to be an expert on the workings of the Canadian federal government. After all, I’m still surprised by the occasional curveballs tossed out by the U.S. government that I’ve actively witnessed and participate in my entire life.

However, when headlines such as “Harper has subverted democracy” start coming from north of the border, I tend to start paying closer attention. Maybe it’s the post-election hangover in the United States. More likely, it’s trying to figure out what—if any—impact it will have on Canada’s ethanol and biodiesel industries. With 13 ethanol producers and at least three more under construction, the Canadian industry is doing its part of fulfill its national renewable fuels standard. On June 26, the Canadian Senate passed Bill C-33, which requires Canada to include 5 percent renewable content in gasoline by 2010.

With a government in transition and economic issues swirling, the 5th Annual Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit couldn’t have been held at a better time. Held Dec. 1-3 in Gatineau-Ottawa, Quebec, the event brought together a cross-section of the Canadian industry and also brought up some of the major players from the United States, including Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen and National Biodiesel Board Chief Executive Officer Joe Jobe.

With the theme of “Growing Beyond Oil,” the event again faced another, and unfortunately familiar, challenge with winter weather. The 2007 version faced a three-day snowstorm that cancelled flights in Quebec City. However, much like the Canadian biofuels industry, things pushed on despite the adversity. Biofuels Canada Editor Khalila Hammond provides a brief recap of the event here: http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=5160&q=crfs&category_id=35.

You’ll be able to read more about the event at http://www.biofuelsmagazine.ca/.

-Dave Nilles