Oilsands must adopt new mantra, group says
National effort to be ‘cleaner, greener, safer, faster, cheaper’
Canada needs a national effort to develop the oilsands in a way that gets maximum value from this $2-trillion resource, the head of Edmonton’s economic development group says.
The capital region is at the centre of the oilsands boom, but work is needed to deal with worldwide pressure for more environmentally friendly production, Brad Ferguson, president of Edmonton Economic Development Corp., said Tuesday.
While there have been cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption for each barrel produced, it isn’t enough, he told the group’s annual luncheon at the Shaw Conference Centre.
“The only way we become good enough is if every company in this room starts embracing the mantra of doing things cleaner, greener, safer, faster, cheaper,” he said.
“The oilsands and its industrial supply chain is a trilliondollar platform for innovation … Our problems need to become Canadian problems and an opportunity for the country to participate.”
He dismissed singer Neil Young’s high-profile concerts opposing new oilsands projects as the “quest for relevance tour.”
Ferguson, who said the area will make a $2.1-trillion contribution to the economy over the next two decades, called on Canadian businesses, universities and governments to come up with solutions to existing problems.
He found strong support for the idea of treating the oilsands as a national resource that creates activity in all parts of the country during discussions last fall with Ottawa, he said.
“That makes it a Canadian issue, not just an Edmonton issue or an Alberta issue, and I think that’s the path forward.”
Mayor Don Iveson, who also spoke at the event, said later he supports Ferguson’s call to find better ways of moving ahead.
“The eyes of the world are on us. It’s ‘How can you do better?’ I think that’s a great call to action,” Iveson said.
“If we really want to thrive … we have to innovate.”
While both men want closer relationships with other civic governments in the region, they didn’t support Edmonton Chamber of Commerce president James Cumming’s proposal to look at ideas for amalgamation.
“The culture we need is one of collaboration and working together, because those are the terms of engagement we have today,” Iveson said.
“Our neighbours do need to come to the table as well and think a little beyond their borders.”
The EEDC wants to ensure the region consistently outperforms every major North American economic jurisdiction over the next 20 years, according to its 2014-16 statement of intent.
The objective is to ensure this happens whether the price of oil is $140 a barrel or $40.
“The changes underway are significant, and success will require bold action,” the document states. “However, the rewards are filled with abundant prosperity, higher standards of living and unstoppable civic pride.”
In 2012, Ferguson pegged Edmonton’s dowdy reputation outside the province at 1.5 out of 10.
With a strong economy, downtown revitalization and growing self-esteem, he said that figure could increase to 2.5 out of 10 by the end of the year.
“Which leaves a long way to go, but it’s a 66-per-cent improvement over last year … Our growth is becoming more predictable and our volatility replaced with confidence.”