Natural Resources committee  The federal government hasn't adopted any specific targets for renewable energy in any of these sectors. The question of targets comes up all the time in debates on renewable energy. Some people argue that it's important to have targets because you need to have a vision that can portray a sense of direction for all the various federal, provincial, and industry stakeholders.

Natural Resources committee  We could look at this in two phases. The first priority is if we could unblock next year's funding in the REDI program and continue, we would go a long way toward meeting the immediate needs of Rob and his constituencies. However, there's the issue of what comes after the previous program that was going to expire at the end of 2006-07.

Natural Resources committee  As a department, we've been participating in the decision-making process. There is a decision-making process in government that involves cabinet and Treasury Board approval before announcements can finally be made. As I say, for that set of programs that were subject to the climate change review initiated by the previous government, and then presented to the current government, I think we're ending the end stage of that process.

Natural Resources committee  Maybe I could begin. There are really two blocks of programs we're talking about. First, as far as the solar program is concerned, the renewable energy deployment initiative, the previous government announced a review of a number of climate change programs. The WPPI program was not included as part of that review, but the REDI program was.

Natural Resources committee  People in our department would be. I'm privy to the results of our programs, the programs that I'm responsible for.

Natural Resources committee  I think of the hundred programs, there were some that were dropped. Indeed, the government I think has announced that there are about 15 or 17 programs that will not proceed. The REDI program is not on that list. In response to your question about evaluation, we did have a comprehensive evaluation of the REDI program about three or four years ago, I think it was.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, Chris. Let me just conclude, Mr. Chairman. Large hydro and biomass now are making the most important contributions to Canadian energy supply. However, attention is increasingly focused on an array of emerging renewable energy technologies. While they're making a small contribution now, that contribution is rapidly growing.

Natural Resources committee  Merci. Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I believe everybody has a copy of the deck that was circulated in advance. I'd like to just take you through a broad overview of renewable energy, the role it plays in Canadian energy supply, and the array of federal and provincial programming that has been in place to support it.