Saving pipeline is futile as move to a clean economy is inevitable

Re Justin Trudeau’s $4.5 billion Trans Mountain pipeline purchase met with a storm of criticism, May 29

Canada throws billions at Trans Mountain Pipeline in a (probably futile) attempt to save it. A lot, or all, of that money will never be returned. Sure sounds like a subsidy.

And it sure sounds like a conflict-ofinterest with carbon pricing. Who now could believe Canada will raise carbon prices to the level needed to meet the Paris Agreement when every increase will further disadvantage its pet oilsands?

It takes a lot of fossil fuelled steam to make the goo flow. All of that fossil fuel used in production of oilsands should be subject to carbon pricing. Which means the higher carbon prices go, oilsands become even less competitive; less demand for pipelines, less return on the Trans Mountain investment. Which means, when push comes to shove, Canada will be less inclined to fight climate change.

It’s safe to say the G7, not to mention China and India and the rest of the world, have figured that much out. It’s safe to say this debacle has demolished any trust they might have had in Canada’s climate change program. Why should they try harder?

What’s the solution? Canada and Alberta get their priorities straight, disavow obeisance to Big Oil and start the inevitable transition to the new, clean economy. Let’s make it a “just transition,” unlike the Thatcherite nightmare British coal miners suffered. John Stephenson, Toronto