Develop resources now or never, Oliver says

Insists Keystone won’t affect emissions

Calling the development and export of Canada’s resources “nation building,” federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says Canada must seize a once-in-a-lifetime energy opportunity or watch the associated economic benefits disappear.

As the minister trumpets the need to develop resources, he hopes the U.S. government will make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline as quickly as possible and downplayed a story in the New York Times that suggested — contrary to a U.S. State Department report — the pipeline could significantly increase oilsands production.

“Whether it’s built or it isn’t built, there wouldn’t be a net impact on global emissions,” Oliver told reporters at a meeting of mines and energy ministers in Yellowknife.

Canada must capitalize on its resource bounty while it still can, he told ministers.

Doing so requires governments to develop abundant natural resources, build the infrastructure — such as pipelines and export terminals — and diversify markets beyond the United States to emerging economies, he said. Failing to act could see the country pass up billions of dollars in economic benefits and thousands of jobs, he said.

“So we have a choice — to proceed or procrastinate. We can roll up our sleeves or wring our hands. We can decide to get this done or we can dither — and watch the opportunities pass to others,” Oliver told his counterparts.

“Because make no mistake, this moment — this opportunity — is perishable. It will not last forever.”

Groups observing the talks, such as Environmental Defence, say the feeling around the conference is “very disconnected with the reality” of Canadians’ concerns about the impacts of natural resource development on land, water and air.