Extinguishing the Centennial Flame — a Canadian icon — is no way to meet emissions targets

Since the Centennial Flame was first lit at Parliament Hill on New Year’s Day in 1967 to mark the 100th anniversary of Confederation, it has been in danger of being unceremoniously snuffed out.

The flame and its fountain, surrounded by the protective shields of Canada’s provinces and territories and guarded by the Peace Tower, was only meant to be a year-long installation. Yet Canadians loved this symbol of unity so much that the federal government of the day decided to make it permanent.

Last year, the 50-year-old monument underwent an $845,000 taxpayer-funded makeover to include the Nunavut territorial coat of arms, and the flame was re-lit during the Canada 150 celebrations. Five months later, however, the flame now seems like a candle on a cake at a party Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would rather not attend.

A new study being launched by Public Services and Procurement Canada, called “Greening of the Centennial Flame,” is looking at extinguishing the torch and replacing it with more eco-friendly LEDs in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Landmarks and symbols of Canadiana — such as the Centennial Flame — should not be compromised so the federal government can appear to be meeting its climate change agenda. This is where we, as Canadians, fall short in our thinking about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

On a global scale, our real challenge is to find a reliable, affordable and abundant mix of energy sources to eliminate energy poverty and give the world access to the kind of power that is central to our prosperity in Canada.

Natural gas is emerging as a clear leader among fuels in the emissions-reduction game. It is helping to displace coal-fired power generation in emerging economies such as India and China. It burns 40-per-cent cleaner than coal when used in electricity generation and its usage drastically lowers air-polluting particulates compared to coal and other sources.

Although we didn’t know it when the Centennial Flame was lit in 1967, Canada is well positioned to play a significant role in creating a cleaner future. We are one of the world’s largest natural gas producers. And we have some of the most stringent environmental standards in the world and a record of Canadian-pioneered innovation and technology to thank, in part, for helping the industry reduce its impacts to air, land and water over the last decade.

Yet 100 per cent of our natural gas exports go to the United States, while demand for natural gas is expected to increase around the world by more than 45 per cent, making it the world’s second-largest energy source by 2040.

The creation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry in Canada would help us meet the world’s demand for safe and clean energy, while broadening our access to world markets. New LNG facilities on the West Coast would allow us to economically export to markets in Southeast Asia, India and China.

But how can we expect the world to buy our natural gas when it’s not welcome on the steps of Parliament?

As a country, we need to view our natural gas as the world sees it: as a clean, reliable and affordable fuel. It’s the fuel that will meet the future growth in energy demand that LED lights — and the best intentions of the prime minister — cannot satisfy.

Mark Fitzgerald is president and CEO of Progress Energy and chairman of the board of governors of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). Paul Myers is president and CEO of Canbriam Energy; Patrick Ward is president and CEO of Painted Pony Energy; and Jason Skehar is president and CEO of Bonavista Energy Corporation. All are CAPP board members.