How to solve Trans Mountain?
Re: The pipeline crisis, Letters to the editor, April 19
It’s time to debunk the anti-pipeline and oilsands propaganda. Dirty oil? Not according to Natural Resources Canada. “Oilsands emissions are within the same range as many other crude oils.” “It is expected that emissions per barrel will continue to decline over the coming years.”
According to Environment Canada, the oilsands produce only 9.3 per cent of Canada’s total CO2 emissions, less than those from either buildings, electricity generation, industry or agriculture. Since Canada produces just 1.6 per cent of global CO2, the oilsands produce a minuscule 0.15% of global CO2, or one tonne of CO2 for every 670 tonnes produced worldwide. Hardly the existential threat to our planet predicted by the anti-oilsands crusaders. But falsely demonizing the oilsands has been a major fundraiser for left-wing zealots deceitfully posing as our environmental saviours, at a cost of many billions of dollars annually to the Canadian economy. Peter G. Keith, Calgary
Re: Controlling emissions, Letter to the editor, April 18
Prof. Jim Davies, from the department of economics at the University of Western Ontario, comments that all countries of the world should work toward an agreement to restrict the production of fossil fuels. He seems to have forgotten the first rule of economics: If there was no demand for fossil fuels, there would be little reason for supply. Alex Evanochko, Edmonton
Re: Whose “best interests” are these, Mr. Horgan?, Laura Jones, April 18
Many B.C. voters retreated from the Liberal party and voted Green or NDP because they think business is interested only in money and has no concern for the environment. The result of that election was a razor-thin coalition between the NDP and the Green Party.
Laura Jones writes that the Trans Mountain expansion plan will provide half a billion dollars of new money for a stronger Ocean Protection Plan on the West Coast. As well, it will provide one billion dollars over 20 years for community environmental projects. The federal Liberal government’s Climate Action Plan is also in place to ensure this pipeline project will give necessary attention to oil-tanker traffic and be of financial benefit to all Canadians.
This support is an answer to most people’s concerns. It also looks like more people are for the pipeline than against, so is Premier John Horgan going to put aside his self-interest and take another look at the polls and come to a compromise with the Alberta and the federal governments? I think it would be a win-win for the country if he did. Leone Wright, Surrey, B.C.