Pipelines and Pancakes – Politics from the Calgary Stampede – and Screw the Climate

So now we know, at least according to pollster Angus Reid, that 63% of Canadians support a pipeline from Alberta to B.C. and that economic arguments prove most persuasive. There are some opponents to fossil fuel expansion who say that Canada should be more concerned about the environment.

New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds majority support both for the long awaited proposal for a new pipeline from Alberta to B.C. (63%) and the less heralded announcement of a plan to bring oil to Sarnia, Ontario touted by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford (55%).

However, in both cases, only about half of Canadians say they have truly made up their minds about the projects, suggesting both proposed pipelines sit on proverbially shifting ground.

The arguments most compelling to Canadians to build the Alberta-to-B.C pipeline are economic. A majority (55%) say diversifying Canada’s oil markets away from the U.S. and the general importance of oil to Canada’s economy (51%) are convincing arguments to build. More than two-in-five (45%) also like that the pipeline would bring jobs.

But 41 per cent say in turn that Canada should be investing in renewable energy instead, underscoring their reasons not to pursue Alberta’s B.C. pipeline project.

So here we go again: Jobs versus the health of the planet, clean air, potable water, and short-term profit much exported out of the country and into the hands of oligarchs. Has nothing been learned over the past 20 years about the well-established connection between fossil fuel extraction, transmission, and combustion of fossil fuels? It seems not, at least in the majority population.

I know, I know. Some still think that we can manage fossil fuels at the centre of all life through scrubbing and burying carbon emissions. I know, science and technology will allow us to continue what we already do, keep pushing for more and more fossil fueled energy. (Not at scale truthfully; also energy consumptive.) I know, extreme-right, libertarian and conservative columnist Ezra Levant and Rebel News still champion “ethical oil” as a way forward. (We wreck things less than the other guys — read Venezuela.) He is a poster-boy for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) who can only imagine a nation, and world, centred around the expanded use and promotion of fossil fuels while offering little or no room for alternative sustainable solutions.

Oh, one last thought, and here’s the irony. While pancakes flip at the stampede, much of Canada is embroiled in wildfire activity. See the interactive and constantly updating NR-Can map here. I know, the increase in both frequency and intensity of wildfires has nothing to do with fossil fuels. (Well, it does.) It’s all part of a natural pattern which will revert to normal soon. (Guess what; this is the new normal.) Just be patient, while we make more and more money. (Feels good huh.)

Both our Prime Minister and the Premier of Alberta should be ashamed of themselves. How will they describe their actions, their ambitions, their decisions to next generations of their own family? “We got those pipelines built and made lots of money. Sure, we can’t stand the heat or drink the water; but we got ’er done.” Right.

Disgusting, disgraceful, self-indulgent, arrogant, short-sighted, misguided, out-of-touch, denialist . . .

To the cluster of Canadian citizens, and leaders, wake up, and smell the . . . ashes.

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