Editorial - 24-9

An ambitious project focused on Canada's energy future and the potential for developing environmentally sustainable sources is bringing together a novel combination of players to conduct research in an area of critical national importance (see page 5). The Trottier Energy Futures Project brings together the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) with the David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) — a pairing that at first appears incongruous but could actually achieve the kind of consensus that will push the nation towards more enlightened energy policy.

The CAE has a reputation for being somewhat staid, while the DSF is best known for its sharp criticism of government policy and practice in all matters environmental. And what makes this collaboration possible is a multi-million-dollar commitment from Lorne Trottier, head of the Trottier Family Foundation and co-founder of Montreal-based Matrox, one of the country's oldest computer graphics firms.

As Mike Lazaridis has ably demonstrated, sharply targeted, well-conceived philanthropic giving can yield remarkable results, as exemplified by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. And like Lazaridis, Trottier's decision to support this kind of research could prompt governments to take heed and initiate policies that reduce Canada's economic and societal dependence on fossil fuels.

The best-case outcome would be a long-overdue national energy policy counteracts Canada's reputation stemming from the oil sands and serves as a signal to the world that we are serious about both energy and the environment.