National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy : The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) was created in 1988 in response to the Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development and the recommendations of the National Task Force on the Environment and Economy that had been established by the Canadian Council of Resource and Environment Ministers (CCREM) in October 1986 (1986 to 1988).
The NRTEE was officially established as an agency in 1994 by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Act (C.31/ Bill C-72) and was a departmental corporation under Schedule II of the Financial Administration Act. The group was dissolved in March 2013.
It promoted public awareness of the major changes required to attain sustainable development and to facilitate cooperative efforts in Canada. The agency conducted research and analyzed information pertaining to sustainable development to advise governments and business on how to incorporate environmental and economic considerations in their decision-making. It recommended and supported sustainable development initiatives, initiated conferences and workshops, published various reports and materials, and organized and assisted special committees.
The Round Table was comprised of the Chairperson and a maximum of twenty-four other members appointed by Governor-in-Council for renewable terms of up to three years. Its members represented a broad range of sectors in Canadian society, including business, industry, academia, environmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and aboriginal groups. An Executive Director, also appointed by Governor-in Council, served as the Chief Executive Officer. An Executive Committee of the NRTEE, which consisted of the Chairperson, the Executive Director and between 5 and 7 other members, assisted the Executive Director in the direction and management of the Round Table. The NRTEE Secretariat, under the leadership of its Executive Director and CEO, carried out the work of the programs and supported the functions of the NRTEE.
The NRTEE held four annual plenary meetings to review the progress of its programs. It relied on task forces and committees to undertake its work on any given issue. These task forces and committees were organized to direct attention to important areas of concern: the Environment, Sustainable Development Reporting Education, Pulp and Paper, Rural Renewal and Consensus Decision Making.In addition to research, the group consulted with stakeholders to define and inform the debate and to work towards consensus. It produced reports called the State of the Debate.
The NRTEE's various programs, as seen in its 2003-2004 Annual Report, included: Ecological Fiscal Reform and Energy; Green Budget Reform; Conserving Canada's Natural Capital: The Boreal Forest; Capital and Market s & Sustainability; Environment and Sustainable Development; Urban Sustainability; National Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy; Financial Services; Projet de Société; Private Woodlots; Rio +5; Transportation; Wildlife Resources Management; and LEAD Canada.
