WHEREAS Northern Alberta’s bituminous sands represent the most significant oil field in Canada and, in the aggregate, one of the world’s largest energy projects;
WHEREAS it is anticipated that future growth in the production of this resource will continue to be an important economic driver, both in Alberta and in Canada, as a whole;
WHEREAS it is extremely important to develop this resource in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner, so that the interests of present and future generations are not sacrificed needlessly for short term gain;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada urges the government of Canada to undertake a comprehensive public assessment of the environmental, economic and social impacts of the oil sands developments immediately;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this assessment be focused on establishing base line data that would provide governments and the oil industry with the necessary information to allow for improvements in the sustainability of this critical but finite resource;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this assessment include specific research into the issues of the aggregate effects of these projects on the quality and quantity of water in the local area, the plans for reclamation and elimination of the tailings ponds, and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Liberal Party of Canada (Alberta)
Yes! So why a moratorium on Shale gas?
Shale gas (and coal gas) have negative impacts on groundwater quality and depletion. The magnitude of these impacts depend upon the geology and hydrology, and therefore are debatable without site specific studies.
Petroleum development is within provincial purview, and the federal government should consult with the provinces before taking any action. (And the provinces seemed determined to proceed subject to their own guidelines.)
What is not debatable, is that we make great progress in developing alternative energy technologies and energy conservation. I think the Liberal Party should focus on alternative energy and energy conservation technologies. We under estimate the potential for these technologies to displace petroleum and fossil fuel; and the economic benefits. Some of these technologies can be implemented very rapidly; particularly conservation technologies (such as energy efficient urban transportation). Moreover, innovative technologies lead to economic growth.
Resolution #44 seems to have been linked to the resolution on the shale gas moratorium comment section. Can someone make the correct linkage. I want to comment on # 44, not the shale gas one.
Resolution # 44 should not get to to Convention floor as it is dated (2010) and gives the impression of being unecessarily academic and preachy. The Liberals need to be SMART ON ENERGY and learn to frame issues in a more positive light if we want to earn respect. If we appear to be negative on the oilsands, electoral success in the prairie provinces is doomed.Liberals must recognize the value of this resouce for all Canadians, and at the same time offer reasonable and constructive environmental solutions that voters understand. Thirdly, the issues cited in the resolution have already been addressed by the Royal Society of Canada in a report dated December 10, 1010. Too many unsubstantiated stereoyypes surround the oilsads development. This resolution in no longer as meaningful as it was in 2010. It should bequietly removed or seriously ammended. While there are still challenges, both industry and the new Premier of Alberta (Alison Redford)are motivated to see that key environmental challenges be met. They want cleaner oil to flow in whatever pipelines may eventually get built in the future. Maybe the oilsands naysayers should focus more attention on the GHG emissions produced by coal-burning electricity production all across North America.
Perhaps you should take a look at the work or Dr Schindler? His work on the river has shown both levels of govt and the industries monitoring to be a sham. Real regualtions are needed to ensure theh iol sands are as absolutely sustainable as humaly possible – leaving it to industry to monitor is absurd and an insult to ABs.
Where is the common sense here. Air water and land are the most important resources we have. It is obvious to me that Big Oil has little interest in cleaning up the impact on anything. No money is spent per barrel to clean it. To produce 1 barrel it takes 80 barrels of water. And what to do the leaching tailing ponds. I believe that if better and cleaner ways are not implemented now than the discussions only slow things down and favor oil not the environment.
I don’t think the Liberal Party can back away from urging some control over the expanding enviornmental disaster that is unfolding in Alberta’s Tar Sands . They shd urge monitoring by non-industry bodies of the water quality downriver and of the air quality near all operations . One has only to look at water quality of the River below the Suncor plant and at the water aquifer lost around Rosebud , Alberta to know that the status quo must be changed asap . Jobs are great but not at the cost of the health of others that do not benefit from these process .
We seem to be unaware that underground waters are affected by surface activities. Pouring waste into holding ponds, these to be brought back to health over time, is not wise. Seepage is normal to land: our springs [ river sources ] are easily contaminated. And the oceans are now showing signs of ill health. How to avert a disaster is difficult to solve. But, just as it is important to work out healthy regimes for young animals and young humans we must also keep our environment healthy .
How did ‘oil sands’ creep into the nomenclature? They aren’t nice crude oil just sitting in ordinary sand. ‘Tar sands’ was and is a far more accurate description of bitumen.
All right!! Albertans want to see the benefits of the exploitation of Oil Sands. Thank you Paul MArtin and Anne McClellan. Let’s gets the facts on this one and not walk in a Harper ‘NEP’ trap.
For the purposes of this January convention this subject , Tar Sands ,which is largely a Provincial matter as the laws now stand , should be left out of the program for fear the media hacks choose to seize upon it and make a big deal out of something that many Canadians feel strongly about but our party in third place can do nothing about .
Albets’s ground water is being rapidly depleted and permanently contaminated by shallow shale / coal gas fracking . This too is very important but is a Provincila matter .