There has been much talk of this pipeline and the dispute that it has created between our federal and provincial governments.
What we’re about to say has already been said by many, but we would like to add our own comments to this vital subject. We must be more focused on the big picture, which is, as our prime minister said in his many pre-election promises, to make Canada energy self-sufficient and to meet Canada’s commitment to global carbon emissions. This, by itself, suggests that we should not be shipping our oil elsewhere for whatever reason.
We should, however, be focused on using our own natural resources, be they tar sands or liquid oil sourced from within our own country.
And, for us to refine this oil and use it, and all associated byproducts, for our own needs.
Since our federal government is willing to support the pipeline to the tune of billions of dollars, in our humble opinions, and to meet the pre-election promise of our prime minister to make Canada energy self-sufficient, that money should be directed towards the construction and operation of refineries within our own country.
Such an undertaking would allow for the possible closure of the Alberta oil sands operation; thereby significantly reducing Canada’s carbon footprint.
The logical place to establish such a refinery would be at, or near, the source of the oil.
This would benefit Canada by creating many jobs, both in construction and ongoing operations, and would also reduce, or at least ameliorate, B.C.’s concerns with shipping these resources through our marine ports and allow us to cease the purchase of foreign oil.
As we said earlier, this has probably been said many times before, but we do feel strongly that this is the right approach to resolving the current dispute, creating work for our citizens, reducing our carbon footprint and securing Canada’s future.
Victor Lipp and Kathy Krenn
Penticton