I
recall that when the oilsands projects were first approved the
environmental assessment ascertained that there was an upper limit of
crude production that was both economically sustainable and
environmentally sustainable. Construction of the two plants at the time
went to that limit. People sort of forget that people, Canadians of
First Nations heritage, lived and hunted in that area for countless
generations.
... And along comes Linda McQuaig present NDP hopeful for the riding of Toronto Centre in the upper coming federal election. Please endure this elongated campaign. Lots of these little missives are bound to send Conservatives into faux high orbit. They are a desperate lot. McQuaig will never be any part of any government. They are grasping onto straws. Of course a lot of people don't realize that there is a greater chance of an Ice Age next year, than there is of McQuaig winning that particular riding. Is her candidacy a good one. Yes, in every other riding other than Toronto Centre.
... The whole vomiting scandal stems from a comment she made at a panel on power and politics. She pointed out the patently obvious. In order for Canada to meet its global warming targets they may have to close off some oilsand's production. That comment fails to measure out as a mystery. Nor unexpected. It is an option. Marvel that, the world still has options.
...
Since the beginnings of the resource extraction the continuing production of oilsands crude exceeded the original
limits of those first environmental assessments. Frankly here we are.
Canadians discussing at each other angrily in an election to determine
the productive capacity of a resource that is constitutionally totally
within the provincial power. Alberta determines the oilsands production
not Ottawa.
...
The dilemma totally falls into the lap of the Alberta government. It
aggressively promoted expanded oilsands production past the safe limit
predetermined by the original environmental reports. It did this in the
face of declining revenues as the easy to reach oil and gas reserves
became depleted.
...
This woman, only a candidate, not an elected MP, is expressing a
concern for the global environment which is in itself perfectly
legitimate. There are Conservatives, once good members of the present
day manifestation of the Conservative Party who share this deep concern
for the global climate effects of fossil extraction and burning.
...
Had the Alberta government(s) adhered to the original production
limits, this whole discussion would be moot. I remember when Peter
Lougheed introduced the Heritage Fund with the goal of creating economic
diversity and a hedge fund for the future. That noble legacy has
obviously been squandered. The rest of the globe, the rest of Canada,
should not suffer for this degree of resource mismanagement.
...
Regardless of who comes to power federally or provincially whether
right wing or left wing, the reality is that the oilsands production
must be reassessed as to its real environmental sustainability. Even
after the inevitable banning of the burning fossil fuels, oil as a
resource will be of great value, especially those with established
infrastructure and distribution channels. To hinge a whole party's
policy upon the words of a single unelectable candidate.
...
Why unelectable? Why prominent? She's running in Toronto Centre. Even
Mulcair's written that one off. Besides, Mulcair wouldn't want her as
part of the caucus. She's super intelligent, perceptive and prone to ask
awkward questions. So into the rearview mirror, luv ya Linda
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