Secret deal compromises Canada’s ability to go green

Sierra Club of Canada News Release

Friday, January 19, 2007

(Ottawa) The Conservative government’s commitment to a five fold expansion of tar sands oil production is totally inconsistent with promises this week to take the climate crisis seriously.

“Canada’s regulatory processes are already heavily biased in favour of promoting oil production and export and fail to consider impacts on climate,” said Stephen Hazell, executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada.  “To further erode already weak environmental assessment processes of the National Energy Board and Alberta Energy Utilities Board means that this government still doesn’t get it.”   

Tar sands projects are among the most polluting and destructive to local habitat as well as being the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. A five fold expansion would mean an increase of 100 megatonnes over 2003 levels which were 25 megatonnes.   
Tar sands projects also contribute to increased levels of acid rain and increased release of toxic pollutants into local rivers and streams.

Sierra Club of Canada is concerned that rapid growth of the fossil fuel industry is a higher government priority than protecting our environment.

“Canada should be moving in exactly the opposite direction,” said Emilie Moorhouse, Atmosphere and Energy Campaigner. “Avoiding catastrophic global warming means transforming Canada’s economy away from fossil fuels towards renewables and energy efficiency.”