It is being reported today that Canada’s Minister of the Environment, Peter Kent, would not allow the public posting of a final report by the now-defunct National Roundtable on Energy and Environment (NRTEE), a 25-year old government funded project that brought together Canada’s brightest minds to work on the convergence of environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. 

Minister Kent’s order also prevents NRTEE materials from being transferred to a University of Ottawa think-tank, Sustainable Prosperity, where they will be made publicly available.

According to press reports, in response to a letter of request to post the final report from the acting NRTEE chair, Minister Kent wrote:

“…the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) will upload no further content to its external website, as of the date on which this direction is signed.”

DeSmog Canada has been sent a copy of the final report which is available in its entirety here: Reflections of Past Leaders of the NRTEE.

Minister Kent will also not allow 25-years worth of materials and research compiled by the NRTEE to remain publicly available on its website, raising fears amongst public stakeholders that the government may attempt to bury the documents. 

The final report is a fitting send-off for an organization with a history of 25 years, and contains reflections from past members on how valuable the NRTEE was to public dialogue on energy, environment and economic issues.

Former NRTEE chair and Canada’s current Governor General, his Right Honourable David Johnston writes:

“Another of the real achievements of the Round Table was to establish a broad network of interested parties from senior levels of government, the environmental sector, the business community, and academia. It was unique to have Cabinet Ministers in the same room as people from other sectors on a regular basis.”

Former NRTEE Robert (Bob) Page addresses the issue of the strained relationship between the group and the current Conservative government, writing:

“It was both a privileged advisor to governments and a conscience proposing new ways as constructive criticism of the status quo. Some Conservative officials were uncomfortable that the government was financing criticism when they wanted cheerleaders. For me this issue emerged in the careful wording required in every letter of transmittal and in the briefing of senior officials. We got a few bombs thrown our way when the Minister was suddenly confronted by the media. However, there was no reason for having an NRTEE unless it was exploring new ground for government consideration.”

Another former chair, Harvey Mead writes:

“The most important loss following upon the dissolution of the Round Table is not, in fact, that of an important advisor to the highest levels of government — the NRTEE was never that — but the loss of the honest broker known and respected throughout Canada by organizations and individuals deeply involved in the challenges associated with the country’s development.”

“Nothing is forever and no organization is essential. But if there was ever a time for Canada to consider how to bring the environment and the economy together, it is now.”