In his opening remarks to the Canadian Europe Roundtable’s Energy Forum in Toronto yesterday, TSX Group CEO Richard Nesbitt discussed the growing importance of energy markets in Canada and, in particular, to TSX from both the listings and trading business.

Between Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange, there are more oil and gas companies listed than on any other exchange or group of exchanges in the world.

With the acquisition of the Natural Gas Exchange, based in Calgary, in 2004, Nesbitt said that “We expect to be an even bigger energy player in the future.” He added, “Our acquisition of NGX fleshes out our role as an integral part of the energy industry’s financial infrastructure.”

Nesbitt added that NGX not only provides TSX Group with a unique platform to expand the trading of energy contracts but offers opportunities in both financial derivatives and clearing and settlement while helping to build a new customer base south of the border.