I had the honour of moderating a discussion on Tuesday evening between Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki and Ontario Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman. The event, aimed at promoting the creation of a Green Energy Act for Ontario, included a free showing of The Suzuki Diaries (you can watch it in full online). It’s an entertaining and insightful one-hour documentary that follows the European travels of Suzuki and his daughter Sarika as they explore the creative use of renewable-energy technologies in Germany, France, Spain, and Denmark. In addition to the focus on renewables, there’s a message in there about the need for parents to give their children hope that we have the means today of changing the world for the better.

If you’re interested in learning about the Green Energy Act initiative in Ontario, click here. The envisioned act would give renewables and conservation priority in electricity system planning and grid access, make advanced renewable energy tariffs the primary mechanism for developing green energy in the province (as opposed to RFPs), aim to support such projects with low-interest financing, promote development of the smart grid, and stimulate community and First Nation projects, all with a mind to creating green-collar jobs.

Environmental groups are introducing the envisioned act on Friday in hopes the Ontario government will adopt parts or all of it. So far Smitherman, who appears to have a genuine interest in raising the bar on renewables and conservation, has indicated his support for such legislation and is apparently making steps toward that goal. It will be interesting to see how far the government does go, but if this initiative ever does make its way into legislation it would make Ontario THE hotspot for renewable energy development in North America.

If you’re interested in seeing some YouTube video clips of the Q&A with Suzuki and Smitherman, then click through to the next page. Thankfully somebody in the audience shot the videos (I haven’t a clue who, but probably with a BlackBerry) so pardon the quality. (more…)