OTTAWA: Under the rather cumbersome phrase of “the effects of oil and gas production on the environment and human health: comparative evaluation,” we are told of “human rights abuses and environmental pollution by companies in the oil sector in Azerbaijan. Reported human rights abuses include workplace discrimination, illegal termination of contracts, health and safety violations and sexual harassment.”
Seems perfectly logical we’d take oil from this bunch rather than, perish the thought, accepting crude from those dreadful knuckle-draggers out there in Alberta.
But the head scratching doesn’t just end with the location of these oil exporters. There’s also the method of delivery involved for these 670,000-a-day barrels. Now remember, it was Quebec that fought so hard against the planned Energy East pipeline that was due to take crude from Alberta through that province and onto New Brunswick refineries.
So obviously they wouldn’t want any oil being delivered by pipeline. Think again, folks. This is Canada, after all.
Yes, according to the recent figures released by the National Energy Board, both Ontario and Quebec refineries do indeed import a lot of crude oil by pipeline from the U.S.
Meanwhile, over on our West Coast, the rage and protests against increased tanker traffic that would arise if and when the Kinder Morgan pipeline extension is built, continue unabated. Maybe they should take their placards and stand on the Atlantic seashore and shout abuse at those mega-tankers sailing into the marine terminals of our eastern provinces. Heck, they might spot one carrying Azerbaijan crude.
Now, if energy was a small byproduct of the Canadian economy, then, fair enough, in the push-and-pull world of international trade, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. But no, energy is the No. 1 driver of the Canadian economy and the national wealth it creates is unmatched.
But don’t worry; the Trudeau government isn’t content with this situation. Nope, new rules will ensure Alberta companies wanting to build future pipelines will have to calculate upstream and downstream environment emissions before Ottawa will approve any construction.
