[All] Sneek preview of article

[Ginny Quinn]

Excellent letter   Lulu.   Thanks for sending it on.   Ginny

 

From: All [mailto:all-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf Of Louisette Lanteigne
Sent: July-03-13 10:56 PM
To: gren
Subject: [All] Sneek preview of article

 

Hi folks

 

Bob Vrbanic already confirmed he'll print it. I sent him a photo to go with it too. Here's my Op-Ed response to Mr. McLean's article. 

 

Lulu :0)

_____________________________________________

 

Oil Sands: No Pot of Gold for Ontario

 

Re: Ian McLean's July 3rd article “OIl Sands Will Benefit Ontario”

 

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy warned if Canada fails to invest in low carbon goods and services, we will lose our competitive edge. In response the Harper Government abolished the National Round Table and invested heavily in mining, natural gas and fossil fuel extraction to the point it is almost equal to manufacturing jobs in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, since 2007, more than 15 factory jobs have been lost for every natural resource job added.

 

Oil, mining and natural gas are based on non-renewable resources. What happens to jobs when the oil, water or natural gas runs out? What if they simply cannot find workers? What if global demand drops? All these issues are plaguing oil sands currently.

 

Mr. McLean stated that “The oil industry uses higher revenues to buy more good and services” and that the oil and gas industry creates “Significant natural resource tax revenue that pays for public service”. What he failed to mention is the down side of that picture.

 

A Federation of Canadian Municipalities and McGill University report indicates that oil sands demands on resources is having adverse impacts on other sectors. There are shortages of steel, tires, asphalt and cement plus energy costs are escalating. Steel has risen 66% at a time when 80% of Canada's infrastructure needs replacement. These costs are not included in economic analysis for oil sands expansions. It impacts municipalities, housing, trucking, auto manufacturers and agricultural sectors etc.

 

Prime Minister Harper has never met with Provincial leaders to discuss these matters and we lack a National Energy Strategy. We need to take a bigger view of the total economic impacts of the oil sands and it's demands on basic commodities to foster a more resilient economy.

 

The Harper government projected triple oil sands output, but Canada will be lucky to hold current tar sands export to US, let alone increase it by millions of barrels per day. In April, major companies including Shell, Exxon and BP, were trading at the lowest numbers seen in nine months. The US domestic production is already having major impacts on Canadian oil forecasts. Investors and financial institutions are reconsidering the viability of the Alberta oil sands as a worthy venture since the US is promoting energy self sufficiency by 2020. What happens when our biggest customer doesn't need us any more? We must also consider rising health care costs, food and water security risks, pipeline spills and Climate Change.

 

Alberta's bitumen is refined in Sarnia Ontario. Imperial Oil wants to ship it to Montreal using Enbridge Line 9 pipeline reversal. It crosses Waterloo Region, the Grand and Nith river making this a local issue. If you want a Provincial economic/environmental assessment on the risks of Line 9 tell your MPP.

 

Clean water, clean air and jobs: Ours to protect!

 

Louisette Lanteigne

700 Star Flower Ave.

Waterloo Ont.

N2V 2L2

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