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Canadian Prime Minister Criticized Over Tar Sands Development at Davos

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper advocated for European investment and reiterated his support for oil expansion. Harper is concerned about the new European Fuel Quality Directive, which targets dirty sources of energy, like Alberta's tar sands.

According to a March 2011 document from the government's "pan-European oilsands advocacy strategy," released through access to information legislation, "Europe is not an important market for oilsands-derived products, [however] Europe legislation/regulation, such as the EU Fuel Quality Directive, has the potential to impact the industry globally,"

The document outlined the government's goals to "target" European politicians — "especially from the ruling and influential parties" — to lobby against climate-change policies that would require oilsands producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

At the meeting in Davos, the founder of the annual World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, called for delegates to undertake a "great transformation" that would challenge some of the basic tenets of capitalism.

Other business leaders including Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, have called for leaders to fuel growth and jobs in a way that is environmentally sustainable.

Harper was told that doing business is not just about making money but is also about bolstering Canadian society, said participant Monique Leroux, chief executive of Desjardins Group.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Canadian Federal Provincial Energy Conference on Resource Exploitation

In the middle of July Canada's energy ministers met in Kananaskis, Alberta to discuss creating a national energy strategy and opportunities in the mining sector. The annual conference between federal, provincial and territorial officials was held between July 16th and 19th.

Predictably, Conservative Federal Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver said it was "in the interest of all Canadians, from coast to coast, to exploit the enormous natural resources we have."

For pro-oil Conservatives, now is the time to push ahead with an environmentally hazardous resource exploitation policy. After the Conservative election victory earlier this year, many companies associated with the old energy economy are counting on a regulatory environment that expedites the exploitation of Canada's natural resources.

Prior to the meeting, Sierra Club's executive director, John Bennett, indicated that he wants to see a change in the whole focus of the meeting. Rather than trying to increase the country's oil exports, the ministers should discuss ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to the war on climate change.

Roger Gibbins, president of the Canada West Foundation, a non-profit, public policy organization which represents Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, said the diversity of energy sources in this country make a national strategy worthwhile. However, Gibbins conceded that Alberta's massive oil reserves, particularly the toxic tar sands, put Alberta in the driver's seat when it comes to energy policy.

Alberta and the Federal government share a common desire to exploit the tar sands, and many other provinces seem prepared to accept the environmental havoc it will wreak.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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