If elected, the Liberals will launch an immediate review of Canada’s regulatory process for oil and gas projects, the NDP will work with provinces to put a price on carbon, and the Green Party’s Carbon Fee and Dividend Plan will give every Canadian over age 18 an annual carbon dividend. The incumbent Conservatives oppose all these plans, as the Canadian political parties paint starkly different visions of the country’s oil and gas sector.
Here are their views on key oil and gas issues:
Are you in favour of, or opposed to, TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL project?
Bloc Québécois: This decision is up to the Americans. However, the Bloc Québécois supports ambitious targets gas reduction of greenhouse gases and tar sands development is incompatible with the achievement of these objectives.
Conservatives: Yes. Keystone XL will create jobs for Canadian and American workers, while enhancing the energy security of North America. We agree with the U.S. State Department that Keystone XL should be approved on its merits. The State Department has indicated it can be developed in an environmentally sustainable manner. Canadian and American crude carried by Keystone XL will replace imports of insecure crude from Venezuela, which has the same or higher GHG emissions.
Green Party: As Elizabeth May said: “Every pipeline – whether it’s Enbridge’s Northern Gateway, Kinder Morgan’s expansion through Burnaby Mountain to the Burrard Inlet, Energy East, or Keystone XL, are all about one thing: getting raw, unprocessed bitumen to coastlines. These pipelines and supertankers are premised on a risky economic strategy. We have already seen how Harper’s strategy of putting all our eggs in the bitumen basket has hurt our economy.”
Liberals: Liberals support Keystone XL. On balance, it would create jobs and growth, strengthen our ties with the world’s most important market, and generate wealth. It would also offer much needed flexibility to a constrained continental energy delivery system.
The Conservative government has failed to move the yardsticks on approval for the Keystone XL pipeline. Instead of working together to resolve obstacles to approval, the Prime Minister and others have taken every opportunity to make it harder for the Americans to allow Keystone to proceed.
If we had stronger environmental policy in this country – stronger, transparent oversight, tougher penalties, and a means to price carbon pollution – the Keystone XL pipeline would have been approved already.
If we do not demonstrate to the world that we have our act together as a country on the environment, we will find it harder and harder to get our resources to global markets.
NDP: We don’t think this is the right project for Canada. Keystone XL will ship away thousands of quality, well-paid jobs south of the border. The government should be doing more to protect value-added upgrading jobs right here in Canada. Stephen Harper has been ignoring environmental concerns and pushing full speed ahead with a pipeline proposal, and Justin Trudeau has been cheering him on.
The reality is that there are serious concerns on both sides of the border about the Keystone XL project, and Hillary Clinton’s recent comments in opposition to the pipeline reflect this reality. Conservative inaction on the environment has led to widespread opposition and is threatening our relationship with some of our closest trading partners. We need to find the right balance, something the Conservatives have refused to do.
Danny Johnston / The Associated PressThis May 24, 2012, file photo shows some of about 500 miles worth of coated steel pipe originally for the Keystone XL pipeline.
Are you in favour of, or opposed to, Kinder Morgan Inc.’s Trans Mountain XL project?
Bloc Québécois: This decision is up to the Americans. However, the Bloc Québécois supports ambitious targets gas reduction of greenhouse gases and tar sands development is incompatible with the achievement of these objectives.
Conservatives: We do not take positions on specific proposals for energy infrastructure before thorough, rigorous, science-based review by the independent regulator is complete. Subject to independent review, our government supports energy infrastructure that would generate revenue for critical social programs including health care, pensions and education. We have been clear: projects will only proceed if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment. Proposals can only move forward once the proponent satisfies the independent National Energy Board’s conditions and demonstrates the pipeline can be operated safely.
Green Party: The Green Party is opposed to Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain XL project. Kinder Morgan proposes a seven-fold increase in oil sands tanker traffic through Vancouver and Burnaby. The Kinder Morgan pipeline will endanger local ecosystems and economies. The Green Party strongly opposes any increase in tanker traffic, and has advocated for a legislated ban on supertankers on the British Columbia coast.
As an intervenor in the NEB approval process, Elizabeth May has fought against the expanded pipeline. Lynne Quarmby, Green Party Science Policy Critic and candidate (Burnaby-North Seymour), became the face of public opposition to Kinder Morgan’s pipeline expansion when she was arrested as a protester on Burnaby Mountain in November 2014.
Liberals: Liberals believe that Canada needs new infrastructure, including pipelines, to move our energy resources to domestic and global markets. However these projects must earn the trust of local communities, respect indigenous rights, and cannot put our lands and waters at risk.
The Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain project is undergoing an environmental assessment, and it would be inappropriate to pre-judge the outcome of the review.
The Conservatives have not gotten a single pipeline project approved in 10 years because they torqued the review process and ignored environmental concerns and proper consultation. Their polarizing approach to resource development and pipelines has hurt rather than enhanced Canada’s ability to get resources to market.
NDP: Every project needs to be evaluated on its merits, like safety, environmental soundness and economic impact, with full community consultation and strong environmental protections. This project can’t be given a proper review in the absence of a thorough, credible, complete assessment process – something that the Conservatives have dismantled. We will adopt a responsible, sustainable environmental review process that puts communities and Canadian interests first.
Are you in favour of, or opposed to, Enbridge Inc. Northern Gateway project?
Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois defends the prerogative of Quebec and the provinces to decide whether pipelines can cross their territory. It is up to British Columbia and its government to accept or reject the Northern Gateway project. However, the Bloc Québécois defends ambitious targets gas reduction of greenhouse gases and tar sands development is incompatible with the achievement of these objectives.
Conservatives: The government accepted the independent Panel’s recommendation to impose 209 conditions on the Northern Gateway Pipelines’ proposal. The proponent must demonstrate to the independent regulator, the National Energy Board, how it will meet the 209 conditions.
It will also have to apply for regulatory permits and authorizations from federal and provincial governments. In addition, consultations with Aboriginal communities are required under many of the 209 conditions that have been established and as part of the process for regulatory authorizations and permits. No proposals can proceed unless they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.
Green Party: The Northern Gateway pipeline asks B.C. to take an unacceptably high risk with our natural environment, salmon, Great Bear Rainforest, coastlines, tourism and fisheries. It is a twinned pipeline over a thousand kilometres, over some of the most rugged wilderness. We strongly support the legal challenge of the unbalanced decision by eight First Nations, four environmental groups and one labour union to overturn the approval.
Liberals: Liberals reject the Conservatives’ decision to approve the Northern Gateway Project in British Columbia. We have serious concerns about how this pipeline will affect the coastal economy and the environment, local communities, and First Nations.
The entire review process failed to consult adequately with local communities and Indigenous Peoples, and Canadians have not been reassured that the local economy and environment will be protected.
We are committed to reversing the decision to approve this pipeline if we should form the government after the next election.
NDP: New Democrats oppose the Northern Gateway project because it puts jobs and the B.C. coastline at risk. It’s not surprising that the B.C. Government, First Nations and communities have rejected this project. The proposal would send Eiffel-Tower-sized supertankers into some of the world’s most dangerous waters, off of one of the world’s most fragile coastlines. The risks are simply unacceptable. Even a modest spill will contaminate this pristine coastline for decades—ravaging the tourism industry and the salmon fishery. The only people that seem to be interested in pushing through this project are Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.
Darryl Dyck / The Canadian PressCheryl Bear, left, a councillor with the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, and Hereditary Chief Pete Erickson, of the Nak'azdli First Nation, listen during a news conference about the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, October 1, 2015. Multiple legal challenges aimed at overturning the federal government's approval of the pipeline project began being heard Thursday at the Federal Court of Appeal.
Are you in favour of, or opposed to, TransCanada Corp.’s Energy East project?
Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois is opposed to any new pipeline project in the territory of Quebec for export, including East Energy project.
Conservatives: Again, we support proposals for energy infrastructure subject to thorough, rigorous and science-based review by the independent regulator. We’re disappointed the Liberals refuse to clearly express their support for this job creating proposal. New proposals for energy infrastructure create Canadian jobs and further replace foreign crude in Quebec and Atlantic Canada with a secure source of Canadian crude.
We support energy infrastructure that would generate revenue for critical social programs including health care, pensions and education. Proposals can only move forward when the proponent satisfies the independent National Energy Board’s conditions and demonstrates the pipeline can be operated safely.
Green Party: We oppose Energy East and its proposal to increase tanker traffic through the Bay of Fundy. Even the Ontario Energy Board has ruled that Energy East poses more risks than benefits.
Liberals: Liberals believe that Canada needs new infrastructure, including pipelines, to move our energy resources to domestic and global markets. However these projects must earn the trust of local communities, respect Indigenous rights, and cannot put our lands and waters at risk.
The Energy East project is undergoing an environmental assessment, and it would be inappropriate to pre-judge the outcome of the review.
The Conservatives have not gotten a single pipeline project approved in 10 years because they torqued the review process and ignored environmental concerns and proper consultation. Their polarizing approach to resource development and pipelines has hurt rather than enhanced Canada’s ability to get resources to market.
NDP: Moving oil from west to east makes sense, but it’s not responsible to go ahead with Energy East unless there’s a strong environmental review regime in place. We know that the Conservatives just want to rubber stamp these projects. Refining Canadian oil in Canada makes sense, but we need to ensure that a strong environmental review regime is in place to determine if projects like Energy East are safe and sustainable before they can proceed. An NDP government will strengthen the environmental assessment regime to ensure that the public interest and our environment are protected.
Do you believe there is need to reform and strengthen oil and gas regulatory agencies such as the National Energy Board?
Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois believes that Quebec laws , and environmental proceedings, including public hearings led by the Office of Public Hearings on Environment (BAPE ) , should apply to all pipeline transportation project in the territory of Quebec. The Bloc Québécois also requests a veto right for the Government of Quebec and the provinces with regard to any new hydrocarbon transportation project or hazardous materials by pipeline , train or boat
Conservatives: The NEB regulates 73 000 kilometres of pipeline transporting energy across Canada with a safety record of 99.999%. They examine emissions that would emit directly from the construction and operation of each pipeline proposal. Our government has introduced new measures intended to enhance Canada’s resilient record of pipeline safety even further. Recent measures increased annual inspections of pipelines by 50 percent and doubled the number of comprehensive audits. There’s now an inspector for every 1217 miles of federally regulated oil and gas pipeline in Canada, compared to every 5830 miles in the U.S. We also introduced financial penalties on pipeline companies for small infractions to prevent larger incidents from occurring.
Green Party: We need to return democracy to review processes and let all concerned Canadians have their say. As the review process for the Kinder Morgan project has shown, the National Energy Board’s pipeline review process is broken. In Bill C-38, the disastrous omnibus budget bill, Stephen Harper repealed the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and placed pipeline environmental assessment reviews in the hands of the NEB – an organization that has denied the public access and refused to include climate change as an issue of concern. And in so doing, as Elizabeth May has said, “The NEB is now basically a pipeline approval agency.”
The citizens of Canada must have a definitive say about these risky pipeline projects. The Green Party is committed to immediately reviewing and reforming the NEB process to ensure that communities, members of the public and First Nations – who have long been at the forefront of stalling irresponsible resource development projects – are fully integrated into decision making.
Liberals: Yes. Canadians must be able to trust that government will engage in appropriate regulatory oversight, including credible environmental assessments, and that it will respect the rights of those most affected, such as Indigenous communities. We will launch an immediate, public review of Canada’s current assessment process. Based on this review, a Liberal government will replace Mr. Harper’s changes to the environmental assessment process with a new, comprehensive, timely and fair process that: restores robust oversight and thorough environmental assessments – which have been gutted by this Conservative government – of areas under federal jurisdiction; ensures decisions are based on science, facts, and evidence, and serve the public’s interest; provide ways for interested Canadians to express their views and for experts to meaningfully participate in assessment processes. We will also, in full partnership and consultation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, undertake a full review of regulatory law, policies, and operational practices. This will ensure that the Crown is fully executing its consultation, accommodation, and consent obligations on project reviews and assessments, in accordance with its constitutional and international human rights obligations. These include Aboriginal and Treaty rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
NDP: The Conservatives have systematically dismantled environmental assessments and limited public input into major project reviews, meaning that a rigorous and credible assessment just isn’t possible under these circumstances. We will work with provinces, industry and with indigenous and other communities to revamp the environmental review process for the approval of major resource infrastructure such as pipelines. Canada’s NDP government will rebuild public trust by seeking Canadians’ input on development projects that impact them. We will also end the Conservatives’ arbitrary limits on public participation in project reviews, and we’ll remove cabinet’s ability to overrule the National Energy Board based on ideological whims.
Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press pipeline is pictured at the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Expansion Project in Burnaby, B.C.
What is your view on carbon pricing? If elected, how would you implement it and at what price?
Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois believes that the system of cap and trade right of emissions of greenhouse gases (Spede) under the aegis of the Western Climate Initiative between the Government of California and Quebec remains the best vehicle for set a price on carbon emissions. The Government of Canada should do more to find new partners.
Conservatives: The Liberals and NDP say Canada needs a price on carbon. Their carbon pricing schemes would set hard working middle class families back with higher prices and higher taxes, while putting Canada’s economic stability and competitiveness at risk. Prime Minister Stephen Harper will continue to implement a responsible sector-by-sector regulatory approach that is aligned with our major economic competitors – like the United States – to ensure Canadian jobs and our economic competitiveness is protected. We are the first government in Canadian history to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and we are doing so without raising taxes.
Green Party: We must work together to put a national price on carbon. In the complete absence of federal leadership, the provinces have taken up the challenge of climate change on their own. Although some progress has been made, notably in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, this patchwork of climate strategies is an inefficient way to tackle an issue that faces all Canadians.
The Carbon Fee and Dividend Plan is the smartest, most efficient, and most effective way to shift away from burning fossil fuels. We will place a fee on carbon, and pay the funds it generates directly to every Canadian over age 18 in the form of an annual carbon dividend. A carbon fee would be set at $30 per tonne of GHGs, for the first three years and rise over time. This plan will defend our climate, diversify our energy mix, grow our economy, and ensure energy security for Canadians.
Liberals: Climate change is an immediate and significant threat to our communities and our economy. We will provide national leadership and join with the provinces and territories to take action on climate change, put a price on carbon, and reduce carbon pollution. Together we will attend the Paris climate conference, and within 90 days, formally meet to establish a pan-Canadian framework for combatting climate change. We will work together to establish national emissions reduction targets, and ensure the provinces and territories have targeted federal funding and the flexibility to design their own policies to meet these commitments, including their own carbon pricing policies.
NDP: To ensure that polluters pay the real costs of the pollution they create, we will work with provinces and territories to put a price on carbon and reduce emissions. We will do this by preparing a pan-Canadian cap-and-trade system, which will establish emissions limits for Canada’s biggest polluters to ensure companies pay their environmental bills and to create an incentive for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Provincial and territorial governments will be able to opt out of the federal plan if they have carbon pricing plans that meet or exceed federal goals, and we will help provinces and territories co-ordinate efforts and integrate within a harmonized pan-Canadian system. We will advance an integrated continental cap-and-trade system that ensures a level economic playing field for North American businesses. The price will be determined by the market but any federal revenues collected will be reinvested back into provincial and territorial efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Richard Clement / ReutersA demonstrator holds up a sign during a march past the White House to protest against the Keystone XL pipeline in Washington in 2013.
Do you believe Canada should be building more refineries, even if it involves government funding?
Bloc Québécois: However, the Bloc Québécois defends ambitious targets gas reduction of greenhouse gases and tar sands development is incompatible with the achievement of these objectives.
Conservatives: Generally, we’re very supportive of anything that helps us process Canadian oil within our own country. Since 2005, Canada’s dependence on foreign sources of crude has decreased 42 per cent. We saw last month a pipeline proposal approved that will further replace foreign oil in our country with less expensive supply from Canada. So, in principle, it’s a great idea, we’ll leave it to the private sector to decide whether these projects are viable. It has helped that our government has made it a priority to attract business by keeping taxes low, while the Liberals and NDP are promising to increase business taxes and reduce Canada’s competitiveness.
Green Party: Given climate realities and volatile international oil prices, expanding oilsands production is simply not on. Most of the bitumen in the Alberta oilsands must remain in the ground. While ramping down oilsands expansion, we will create new jobs in Canada’s oil and gas sector by refining the product we already produce, rather than shipping it out raw for refining in other countries.
Liberals: The refining sector is an important contributor to the Canadian economy, and provides a significant number of well-paying jobs across the country. We support the sector’s ability to determine the amount of refining capacity it needs to meet market demand.
NDP: We know that processing Canadian oil in Canada makes sense. It’s a win-win-win for producers, consumers and for Canadian jobs, and it will reduce Eastern Canada’s dependence on oil imported from the Middle East. The Conservatives have repeatedly championed massive export pipelines that would send Canadian oil – and jobs – out of the country. We need an approach that doesn’t sacrifice energy security and that isn’t premised on shipping thousands of jobs out of Canada along with our unrefined resources.
Jason Franson / the Canadian Press
Do you believe Canada should focus on developing the LNG industry even if there is local and/or aboriginal opposition?
Bloc Quebecois: The development of natural resources within the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces. Any decision in this regard will be taken by the Quebec government, after holding public hearings in accordance with the Quebec environmental assessment process, which will be open to the participation of first nations. However, the Bloc Québécois defends ambitious targets gas reduction of greenhouse gases and tar sands development is incompatible with the achievement of these objectives.
Conservatives: We believe that economic and environmental partnerships offered by resource proposals can provide First Nations the opportunity to share in the benefits of responsible resource development. According to the Public Policy Forum, over 400,000 Aboriginal youth will be entering the workforce in the next decade, creating an unprecedented opportunity for cooperation between Aboriginals and the oil and gas industry.
Green Party: Reducing our reliance on fossil fuel exploitation also means reducing our reliance on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) development. Liquefying natural gas requires enormous amounts of energy, and new investments for export are inconsistent with our commitment to move toward a low carbon future. The LNG industry in British Columbia depends on fracking. Fracked LNG has the same carbon footprint as coal. There are better more sustainable ways to take advantage of this resource, provide stable well-paying jobs, and reduce the negative environmental impacts. Our position on LNG development involves: respecting First Nations land claims and rights; repealing the federal 30% tax break for LNG investments; adopting the international shipping safety standards set by the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators; expanding marine protected areas around proposed LNG projects; and banning industrial seawater cooling systems.
Liberals: Liberals support the sustainable development of Canadian energy resources, but development must at the same time respect Indigenous rights, our natural environment and earn the trust of local communities.
NDP: We support sustainable LNG development and export as part of a diversified and prosperous economy. It’s common sense that each project needs to be looked at individually and in terms of cumulative impacts, and they need to be sustainable and done in partnership with First Nations. The fact is, in the 21st Century, important natural resource projects simply won’t move forward without meaningful consultations with First Nations. Treaty rights and inherent rights are well-established and recognized by courts. A failure to live up to Canada’s legal and international obligations will only hurt Canada’s bottom line and result in costly delays and lengthy court challenges.
Darryl Dyck / The Canadian PressA FortisBC employee walks past a storage tank at the existing FortisBC Tilbury LNG facility.
What is your strategy to involve First Nations in the development and expansion of the oil and gas sector?
Bloc Québécois: The development of natural resources within the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces. Any decision in this regard will be taken by the Quebec government, after holding public hearings in accordance with the Quebec environmental assessment process , which will be open to the participation of First Nations. However , the Bloc Québécois defends ambitious targets gas reduction of greenhouse gases and tar sands development is incompatible with the achievement of these objectives.
Conservatives: Through our plan for Responsible Resource Development, we are helping build partnerships between governments, industry and First Nations so we can all participate and benefit from resource development. For example, I announced a new office designed to specifically focus on building this cooperation in British Columbia. It’s contributing to new milestones related to the restoration of fish habitats, land stewardship, skills training and other areas. We have enhanced the Participant Funding Program to further assist those who wish to participate in the process. I am personally engaged in many of these discussions.
Green Party: The Green Party believes that all negotiations between the federal government and Aboriginal communities should occur on a nation-to-nation basis. We recognize that First Nations communities have been at the forefront of stalling irresponsible resource development projects like the Enbridge pipeline. We will work with First Nations and with the provinces to ensure that the responsible development of Canada’s natural-resource wealth benefits all Canadians, beginning with the free, prior, and informed consent of the peoples on whose traditional territories they exist.
The Green Party is fully committed to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This means enshrining true principles of free, prior, and informed consent into law. All resources decisions on First Nations territory require not just consultation but an actual right to say no. Anything less is unacceptable.
Liberals: Liberals support the sustainable development of Canadian energy resources while at the same time respecting Indigenous rights, our natural environment and earning the trust of local communities.
NDP: Ensuring Canada’s success means we must also build and sustain a real nation-to-nation relationship with indigenous communities. Canada must honour its legal duty to consult and accommodate First Nations. We’ll ensure, right at the cabinet level, that everything we do respects treaty rights, inherent rights and our international obligations. We’ll make consultation and partnership a priority, which will help smooth the waters for the kinds of projects that create opportunity and prosperity.
Darryl Dyck / The Canadian PressProtesters are silhouetted while carrying cutouts of salmon during a demonstration against the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline in Vancouver, B.C., in 2014.
If elected, what would be your message to delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris regarding Canada’s oil and gas sector?
Bloc Québécois: Bloc Québécois will demand that Ottawa continues to sabotage international climate conferences and rather put out a plan to fight climate change in line with targets set by the international community. The Bloc Québécois endorses the objective of the Government of Québec to reduce its GHG emissions 80 % to 95 % by 2050. The Bloc Québécois demands a territorial approach by province in the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions , so that polluters undertake realistic reductions of emissions rather than cashing in on the efforts of places like Quebec.
Conservatives: Canada is a secure, reliable and responsible producer and supplier of energy to the world that is firmly committed to a continental approach on energy and emissions. Canada benefits from one of the cleanest electricity mixes in the world, with 65 percent generated from renewable sources — the highest level in the G7. Over the past decade, Canada’s economy has increased while emissions have decreased. We have invested in new world firsts in carbon capture technology and innovation. Our Government will continue working constructively with our international partners to establish a fair, effective international agreement that includes all major emitters. Canada, the United States and Mexico recently established a new North American Energy Ministers’ collaboration on climate change. This “supports the implementation of climate change goals of each of the three countries, including respective Paris targets” including emissions from oil and gas. We are enhancing energy security and the environment while protecting Canadian competitiveness, jobs and the economy. Unfortunately, the Liberals and NDP denigrate Canada’s strong record while proposing measures unilateral measures that would kill jobs and put Canada’s economy at a disadvantage.
Green Party: COP21 represents the last, best and only chance for humanity to avert an intensified climate crisis and to prevent runaway global warming.
Only by electing Green MPs can we ensure Canada can lead in these critical negotiations. We are committed to serious action to avert a climate crisis. Canada’s economy is about more than oil sands. The same amount of C02 in Alberta comes from burning coal for electricity as it does from oil sands production. Canada has played a shameful and destructive role at climate negotiations during Stephen Harper’s time in power. With the old parties’ support for new pipelines, increased tanker traffic, and expanded oil sands production, only Green MPs will lead the way with realistic and pragmatic climate leadership. We will fight to restore Canada’s reputation as a nation that makes us proud at a pivotal time in human history.
The federal government should convene a First Ministers Conference immediately after the election to prepare credible Canadian proposals to take to the international climate negotiations in December.. We will present our ambitious emissions targets in Paris and the clear steps we intend to take to meet them.
Our plan is to move to the virtual elimination of fossil fuel use in Canada by mid-century. Our short-term target is 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, and we are calling for 80 percent reductions below 1990 levels by 2050. The Green Party also supports making our fair share of global contributions to the Green Climate Fund. Our goal should be an annual commitment of $500 million each year beginning in 2016.
These are ambitious targets, yet the scale and urgency of this challenge demands nothing less. As Canadians, we will rise to this challenge and, in doing so, create a strong, stable, and prosperous economy today and for our children and grandchildren tomorrow.
Liberals: For too long, we have been told we must pick between the environment and the economy. The simple fact is that in 2015, pretending that we have to choose between the two is as harmful as it is wrong. We will ensure that Canada can tap into the economic opportunities of our environment and create the clean jobs of tomorrow. It will undo the damage done by the previous government, and give to our children and grandchildren a country even more beautiful, sustainable, and prosperous than the one we have now.
NDP: To make Canada a leader on the world stage, the NDP will bring a clear plan of action to the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, to advance global action on climate change. Canada’s oil and gas sector will continue to be an important part of the Canadian economy. Our natural resources will continue to be a great source of prosperity for Canada, but future development will occur within a framework of balanced and sustainable development, one that doesn’t simply download the environmental, social and economic costs of development onto future generations. An NDP government will ensure that reviews are meaningful and account for a project’s impact on our climate, and respect our new international obligation to reduce greenhouse gases. Our plan is one that ensures sustainable prosperity. It will create jobs, grow Canada’s economy and protect the environment.
yhussain@nationalpost.com