Connecting with the Community on Energy
Consul General Gitane De Silva
Consul Brian Herman with a participant
Banners at the event
The Consulate General of Canada in Chicago participated in an energy symposium at Chicago State University on April 27, 2012. The event, “Understanding Energy: An Urban Conversation” was presented by WVON Radio 1690, Chicago State University, Local 597 UA Pipefitters, and the Illinois Petroleum Council. The event drew several hundred participants including energy specialists, union leaders, students, and local residents encouraged to join the conversation about the nature of the energy relationship between the United States and Canada.
Participants were keen to broaden their perspectives about the binational partnership on trade, security, the environment and particularly, our highly integrated energy relationship. Consul General Gitane De Silva delivered remarks during the event which highlighted the fact that Canada is the United States’ largest and most secure supplier of oil, natural gas, and electricity.
Given the challenging economic reality, participants were enthused to learn more about how our partnership promises to generate more jobs on both sides of the border and in enhancing their understanding of Canada’s commitment to working with the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, leverage clean energy technologies, and combat climate change. Consul General De Silva also took a stand on Canada’s oil sands, which are a highly important source of the United States’ energy needs and key to economic growth and energy security in the United States. The Consul General drilled down this poignant fact by offering that for every dollar spent on Canadian oil, almost 90 cents returns to the United States through its exports back to Canada. Ultimately, this level of cooperation between Canada and the United States translates into new jobs and shared enhanced prosperity.
By engaging people in communities throughout our territory through an open dialogue, addressing their concerns and questions, and sharing information compiled by experts in the field, the Consulate General of Canada continues to play its part in fostering understanding of the opportunities borne of greater binational cooperation on energy.
