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Bruce Carson to lead Canada School of Energy and Environment

Added: August 19, 2008

The University of Lethbridge has announced the appointment of Bruce Carson, senior advisor to the prime minister, as the first executive director of the Canada School of Energy and Environment (CSEE).

LETHBRIDGE, Alberta August 14, 2008 (U. of Lethbridge) -  The University of Lethbridge has announced the appointment of Bruce Carson, senior advisor to the prime minister, as the first executive director of the Canada School of Energy and Environment (CSEE).

"The potential for the Canada School of Energy and Environment is unlimited," said Carson. "Canada needs this kind of leadership as it sorts out the balance between protecting the economy and protecting the environment. Over the next two to three years, CSEE will become the centre of excellence in Canada for research, policy and advice that meshes the goals of clean energy and environmental protection."

The Canada School of Energy and Environment is an innovative research and education collaboration involving the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. It draws on the diverse knowledge, resources, and expertise of the three institutions to create and advance research and teaching programs related to one of the most pressing issues of the modern world: the need to balance sustainable energy development and environmental management.

"This can become the go-to place in Canada for research into the environment and alternative and clean energy," said Carson. "Eighty percent of the oil and gas production in Canada comes from Alberta. There is no better place to develop the research expertise and policies that will guide our country and help industry, government and the public make the right decisions."

"Canada is at a critical point in determining the future of its energy supply," said University of Calgary President Harvey Weingarten, PhD. "Bruce Carson has the experience and expertise to bring together the best and brightest researchers who specialize in environment- and energy-related research. His leadership will guide the CSEE and ensure its impact is far-reaching and on a global scale."

"In terms of energy and the environment, there is no doubt that the global community faces a major turning," said University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera. "To make this turn successfully, we need to quickly and effectively expand collaborations between researchers, educators, policy-makers and advisors, and speed the development of technical and social innovations required. With Bruce Carson’s leadership, CSEE has the vision and expertise to make this happen."

"Canada is very much a world leader in energy production and the CSEE will provide important research leading to sustainable use of natural resources," said University of Lethbridge President Bill Cade. "Bruce brings much expertise into this position and we look forward to working with him and with the other Alberta research universities to build the CSEE."

Carson has worked in politics for the better part of two decades. He has more recently been serving as co-chair of a task force developing a new method for dealing with specific claims by First Nations. Carson has also served as director of policy and research for Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he was leader of the Opposition and as the director of Progressive Conservative Party Research Service--Queen’s Park.

Carson has an LL.B from the University of Ottawa and an LL.M specializing in constitutional law from the University of Toronto.

In the March 2007 budget, the federal government identified the CSEE as one of Canada’s Centres of Research Excellence and Commercialization and, as such, granted $15 million to support CSEE activities.

Key to the CSEE mission is the use of leading-edge technology to create a web community for industry, government, academia, media and the general public. This community will generate information resources that can be reviewed, updated and accessed regularly and frequently to provide a current, forward-thinking idea exchange that positions Canada-and the Canada School of Energy and the Environment-as the go-to place for national and international sharing, collaboration, and support.

Each of the founding universities has a coordinating structure within its institution to organize its efforts, and expected contributions, to the CSEE. At the U of A, this entity is known as the School of Energy and Environment; at the U of C, the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy; and at the U of L, the Water Institute.

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