Partisan politics in Alberta

Dear Editor:

Alberta’s economy relies on oil and cattle, two major contributors to anthropogenic CO2 levels driven by “population size, economic activity, lifestyle, energy use, land use patterns, technology and climate policy” (I.P.C.C, 2014).

With the recent shift in awareness of the detrimental effects of carbon emissions and the widespread impacts it has on our ecosystem and our oceans, politicians continually negate the impact of changing temperatures despite a consensus from climatologists.

This has a detrimental effect on Alberta’s economy as they rely heavily upon these industries. This has resulted in a $1.6 billion handout by Justin Trudeau to the Alberta government.

Oil patch workers make upwards of $100,000 annually. Oil companies in Canada receive $3.3 billion in subsidies, yet Alberta’s will feel the need to whine for the next two generations regarding Trudeau’s comment about “transitioning our dependency off of fossil fuels.”

Investing in renewable energies that won’t destroy our planet or our pockets seems logical, yet the emphasis placed on political misrepresentation by fossil fuel lobbying, politicians who engage in name calling (looking at you Brian Jean) and payouts are placing a strain on the system.

Unfortunately, some Alberta politicians are a few french fries short of a happy meal. They engage in spitefulness instead of facing the reality of climate change. Between the subsidies and handouts, Alberta is starting to look a lot like Quebec. The difference being Quebec actually has something to offer — clean hydroelectricity and lots of maple syrup. Raymond Theriault Kelowna