As Prime Minister Stephen Harper takes his turn at steering the Canadian ship of state, Ralph Klein’s latest healthcare proposals may not be the only thorny problem originating from his home province. The Athabasca tar sands project in Alberta, coupled with the lack of a made-in-Canada energy strategy, could soon prove to be an albatross for the new Harper government.
Energy policy
OTTAWA – Un rapport sur les sables bitumineux de l’Athabasca publié par le Centre canadien de politiques alternatives, le Parkland Institute et le Polaris Institute met en garde contre l’énorme menace économique, sociale et écologique que comporte la mise en valeur des sables bitumineux.
OTTAWA—A report on the Athabasca tar sands released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Parkland Institute, and Polaris Institute warns of the potential enormous economic, social, and ecological threat from Athabaska tar sands development.
“The Athabasca tar sands project is the centerpiece of a continental energy plan to send massive new oil and gas supplies to the U.S.,” says Tony Clarke, Director of the Polaris Institute. “Canada is sitting back and letting George W. Bush and the big oil companies dictate our energy policy.”
Canadians who care about the effects of U.S. imperialism tend to associate it with the adamant positions the U.S. takes on trade deals and its aggressive measures related to security. The drama of these events--particularly the war in Iraq, the softwood lumber and beef disputes, border issues, and U.S. surveillance of Canadians--overshadows the less visible but equally insidious acts of U.S. imperialism.
“It still amazes me that people don’t know that their power comes from nuclear reactors. It amazes me that many people drive past the Pickering plant on their way to work every day, and don’t know it is a nuclear reactor.”--Elizabeth Dowdswell, President, Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)
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My history teacher was an intimidating person. It seemed that there was nothing in his field he did not know. He was a Prussian institution, equipped with a PhD in history, which catapulted him above every other teacher at my high school in small-town Germany.
On August 14, 2003, a poorly maintained electricity system--like a levee holding back water--failed and drained all the power from 50 million Canadians and Americans. During the blackout, people died, security systems failed, and the economy was devastated. Canada’s Prime Minister and the American President authorized a joint Task Force to investigate. The Task Force recommended an independent study to determine if blackouts are caused by the pursuit of unregulated electricity profits--by deregulation.
For years now, provincial governments have complained about a “fiscal imbalance” in reference to Ottawa’s ongoing surpluses while many provinces have been running deficits. But recent times have also highlighted another fiscal imbalance that is much more divisive to Confederation: Alberta’s oil-filled coffers.
Energy ministers from across Canada recently met in St. Andrews, N.B. Media coverage of the meeting noted that the agenda included golf and a lobster dinner. Fair enough – the ministers are entitled to some rest and relaxation. But what really caught my attention was that the gala event was sponsored by Irving and Emera – two of the largest energy providers in Atlantic Canada.