Abby Shin

I’m angry, I’m disappointed, I’m tired, I’m confused. The recent Alberta-Canada Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a huge step backwards for Canada and an attack on First Nations. It neglects Indigenous land rights, our right to a healthy environment enshrined in CEPA, legally binding climate targets under the Paris Agreement, and the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the obligation of states with respect of climate change.

The MoU agrees that Ottawa will fast-track a massive bitumen pipeline from Alberta to the British Columbia (BC) coast under the Building Canada Act. It will allow for the lifting of the North Coast tanker moratorium throughout the waters off of BC, and opens the door to the pipeline, tankers, and all other components of the project having to adhere to zero environmental, health, and safety laws or Indigenous rights. It also promises to suspend the proposed federal oil and gas emissions cap and Alberta’s requirements under the Clean Electricity Regulations. Instead beginning implementation of Pathways Plus, a massive Alberta-based carbon capture, utilization and storage project proposed by the Pathways Alliance (spoiler alert! this is not actually a step forward, as I’ll discuss below).

This was done without any consultation with or consent from First Nations residing on the affected land and waters. Even British Columbia was not involved in this deal. Moreover, this was attempted with the Northern Gateway Pipeline 20 years ago, and it ended with huge costs, failure, and outrage.

The MoU aims to lessen Canada’s reliance on US oil consumers, instead turning to Asian demands and Alberta’s untapped fossil fuel resources. If climate change wasn’t real, and the BC coast wasn’t home to numerous struggling species at risk and multiple First Nations who rely on the land and water, sure, this would be a great thing for Canada. But look around, wildfires in Canada are breaking historical records, costing tens of billions a year and producing air quality issues we’ve never seen before. Flooding in Canada is costing billions a year. Oil spills cost communities billions upon billions. We are losing critical species and ecosystems at record-breaking rates. Globally, we’ve crossed the coral reef tipping point and are dangerously close to crossing the Amazon rainforest tipping point, seeing massive ocean die offs, and more. I.e., we are causing irreversible, unpredictable change to Earth’s systems that our societies have never had to live through before.

Honestly, this whole thing makes me want to scream. What about my future? What about my generation’s future? Economic competitiveness should not come at the cost of a livable country and planet, is this really so hard to understand???!! Also, does it really make economic sense to invest billions upon billions into an industry leading us into an ecological apocalypse that will cost billions upon billions to live through?? If you’re going to take anything away from this post, please read On Oil by Don Gillmor. You can find it at Book City.

Minister Guilbeault resigns

In response to the MoU, Minister Steven Guilbeault, the former Minister of Environment and Climate Change and now outgoing Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture resigned on November 27th. Guilbeault had a long history of climate activism before joining Trudeau’s government in 2019 (including being arrested in 2001 for unfurling a banner down the CN Tower naming Canada and George Bush as “climate killers”, which is pretty awesome in my opinion). He had a complicated run as environment minister, both having a pretty radical past while supporting oil and gas projects such as the Trans Mountain pipeline and expansion, as well as the Bay du Nord offshore oil project off of Newfoundland.

Having some experience with straddling the activism/politics line, I think Guilbeault got to a point where the stakes were too high to continue supporting the “political” or “economic” choices which ignored how much trouble we are in environmentally. On one hand, it is a very concerning loss for environmental representation in our federal government. On the other, this could be a huge pull for a high-level environmental organization, and Guilbeault could become an environmental leader without the need to compromise his beliefs.

In my opinion, I think he could be a great addition for the Green Party. It would help solidify them as a strong voice for climate change, the environment, First Nations reconciliation, affordable housing, social justice, and sustainable economic competitiveness in Parliament. More on this in an incoming post.

Why we need the North Coast tanker moratorium

As I have continuously stated in this recent trend of deregulation, laws – especially those protecting the environment, health, Indigenous rights, etc. – are there for a reason. Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act was passed in 2019 after 50 years of advocacy from First Nations and coastal communities. It is essential to protecting one of Canada’s most ecologically rich and diverse areas from the irreversible, horrific social, economic, and ecological impacts of oil spills. The protected area supports the Great Bear Rainforest, countless ecosystems and species, numerous forms of livelihoods and sustainable economic growth, and centuries of First Nations tradition and stewardship. How unfair is it that this may be reversed without the input or consent of those stewarding and relying on these ecosystems?

Oil spills are catastrophic. They kill, maim, and injure countless animals. They harm the health, economics, and overall wellbeing of coastal communities. They cost billions, and are basically impossible to reverse. Oil spills have been notable catalysts for many of the environmental regulations we have today, globally and nationally. Mechanisms preventing them are there for a reason.

Pathways Alliance’s promises of carbon capture are suspicious at best

For those who don’t know,  the Pathways Alliance is an organization of major Canadian oilsands companies that have committed to achieving net-zero emissions from oilsands production by 2050. At the surface, this sounds great. How amazing and convenient would it be to believe that the oil and gas industry wants what’s best for Canada, environmentally and economically.

Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but the six companies that make up Pathways Alliance are largely responsible for our current climate crisis. AND did you know that Canada’s oil and gas sector has been covering up the relationship between fossil fuels and climate change for nearly a century? As has been proven by numerous investigative reports (and explained in On Oil), oil and gas corporations have been misleading the public for decades upon decades regarding the environmental and health costs of their operations. It has also been proven that these corporations have captured and saturated nearly every political facet of Canada’s natural resource governance (please read On Oil). Recently, the Pathways Alliance has been caught greenwashing and lying to Canadians about the true cost of their operations and proposed carbon solutions. They have also consistently lobbied governments to weaken and delay climate regulation.

Furthermore, carbon capture and storage is not perceived well in the environmental and climate community. Numerous cases and studies have proven that these operations are extremely costly, risky, and often not able to be scaled up enough to produce actual positive impacts. All in all, carbon capture technology is simply too risky to gamble with in the midst of a growing climate apocalypse.

There are proven alternatives for economic growth that make actual sense

Yes, fossil fuels have done a lot for us. They have been pillars of development and innovation, they have created the luxuries we have today. But when the cons outweigh the pros, societies must learn, change, and adapt – like we always have. The science is solid, the facts have been proven. These conventional forms of energy require billions of subsidies while causing billions in permanent damage. There are economically viable alternatives, and the more we invest in them, the more competitive we can become, the more green jobs can be created, and the more damage can be avoided.

This pipeline etc. will be privately owned, but is still without an official project proponent or investors. Energy experts and past attempts at similar pipelines have demonstrated that it does not make any fiscal or economic sense to invest in Albertan oil, especially that which will be transported across the country then across the globe.

This is going to be a fight on both sides

Unsurprisingly, this announcement sparked extreme backlash from civil society, environmental groups, First Nations, and politicians. Those who are staunchly opposed to the MoU insist that they will not allow it to progress. However, going up against such a huge economic opportunity, in the age of climate denialism and misinformation, is no small feat. Alberta and other proponents will have a vested interest in ramming the projects through, with the help of complete deregulation from the federal government.

This is where I will again insist that you stay involved and keep informed. It is very easy to be misled by the gargantuan marketing machine that is the oil and gas industry. I.e., an industry that has profited off of misinformation and greenwashing at the expense of almost every single Canadian’s future. This is not conspiracy, it is proven fact.

Stay involved, stay informed:

Each of these resources contains vital information and perspectives on the MoU that could not be covered in detail by this post.

• Sign the North Coast Protection Declaration in support of the North Coast tanker moratorium
• The Suzuki Sessions: The Clean Power Opportunity a webinar hosted by David Suzuki about the potential of Indigenous-led clean energy
• Federal-Alberta MOU risks unravelling Canada’s climate policy
• ‘The answer is no and always will be’: UBCIC responds to MOU between Canada and Alberta
• BCAFN Affirms First Nations Sovereignty and Land/Water Protection in Response to Canada-Alberta Bitumen Pipeline MOU
• Green Party condemns federal Alberta pipeline deal as a serious betrayal of climate commitments, Indigenous rights, and the people of British Columbia
• Leader Emily Lowan: Carney and Smith Will Not Hold Our Province Hostage
• West Coast Environmental Law Reacts to Canada-Alberta Energy MOU
• REACTION — A “Wake-Up Call”: Nature Canada Warns Trust in Government is Fading After Guilbeault Exit

Final thoughts

By continuing to neglect the climate crisis within his decisions for Canada’s future, Carney can no longer be trusted to do what’s best for Canadians, First Nations, and all younger generations in the long term.

This decision has solidified why we need serious, competitive, accelerated Green Party leadership.

• Follow and support Emily Lowan to see the potential of young people in the Green Party
• If you live in and around Kitchener Centre, support/donate/volunteer for Mike Morrice and Aislinn Clancy, who are both doing amazing work
• If you live in and around Guelph, support/donate/volunteer for Mike Schreiner

Based on this decision, and other recent federal approaches to development, the Canadian government does not truly understand the concept of Indigenous sovereignty, nor is prepared to engage in true reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the original stewards of “Canada’s” natural resources.