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There is arguably no greater public policy challenge for Canada in the 21st century than marrying the development of our country’s huge potential as a major energy producer with proper respect for the environment.
Canadians expect it, as do the customers for our oil and gas – primarily in the U.S. Indeed, in an age of heightened public awareness of environmental issues and the increased politicization of those issues, it is difficult to see how Canada could reap the many economic benefits of oil and gas production without embracing a philosophy of responsible development.
Of course there are those pessimists who argue – with increasing vigour – that ‘responsible development’ is an oxymoron: that further development of Canada’s oil and gas reserves is a deplorable goal and should be shunned.
Yet a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce shows a substantial majority of Canadians are more pragmatic than that, and believe we can achieve a reasonable balance between energy development and respect for the environment.
Two-thirds (65%) agree that “it is possible to increase oil and gas production while protecting the environment at the same time”, including one-quarter (26%) who ‘agree strongly’. And when it comes to a more specific project, most Canadians agree (57%, including 21% who ‘agree strongly’) that “overall the benefits of development of the oil sands in Canada outweigh the negatives.”
Canadians also prefer that domestic refineries use Canadian oil ahead of imported oil even if it means shipping the oil across the country to be refined. An overwhelming 80% agree with the statement that “Canadian oil refineries should make it a priority to use Canadian oil before using oil imported from other countries, even if it means transporting oil from Western Canada across the country to the refineries”.
Canadians also think it’s important to diversify the export markets for Canadian oil and gas away from over-dependence on the United States. Three-quarters (75%, including 35% who ‘agree strongly’) agree with the statement that “it is important that Canada does what it takes to access new markets for oil and gas exports in order to reduce the reliance on exports to the United States”.
Perhaps not surprisingly, confidence in the responsible development of Canada’s oil and gas sector is highest among those who live closest to the traditional centres of oil and gas production (in Alberta and Saskatchewan) and lower among those who see less direct benefits (in Quebec and Ontario for example). The need is blindingly obvious for a major educational effort on the part of industry and government to better explain to Canadians both the nationwide benefits of oil and gas development and the major initiatives underway to improve the industry’s environmental performance.
Nevertheless, there are some clear messages here for politicians and policymakers as Canada weighs the need for a national energy strategy, to recognize the growing importance of oil and gas production as an economic driver across our country: The great majority of Canadians believe the environmental challenges around oil and gas development can be managed, they believe we should reduce our reliance on imported oil, and they understand the need to diversify potential markets for what has become Canada’s most valuable export commodity.
It’s a positive and confident outlook – a road-map for a practical and responsible energy future for Canada. It’s clear what Canadians want and expect in terms of national energy policy. What we need now is the political will to turn those goals into concrete action.
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Budget 2012
- Addressing Canada’s Skills Crisis (March 30)
- Budget Analysis (March 29)
- News Release - A growth plan to restore Canada’s competitiveness (March 29)
- Pre-budget Consultations - Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (October 31, 2011)
- Pre-Budget Consultations - Speaking Notes for Tina Kremmidas, Chief Economist to the House of Commons, Standing Committee on Finance (October 31, 2011)
Dispatches from Washington
This series, written by Paul Frazer, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Washington, DC-based Special Advisor on Canada-U.S. relations, provides briefs on issues and events that have implication for Canadian businesses. Mr. Frazer has over 15 years of experience in this area and is a well-known and influential player in Canada-U.S. issues. Mr. Frazer can be contacted at Paul.Frazer@3ClickSolutions.com.
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