Shell Oil Granted Expansion in Alberta Tar Sands
B. McPherson
When you fill your gas tank, spare a thought for the consequences.
The Canadian Federal Government has granted permission to
Shell Oil Canada to expand its oil sand extraction into its Jackpine holdings.
This, in spite of the Minister of Environment, Leona Aglukkaq, acknowledging
that it’s “likely to cause significant environmental effects”.
The move is “justified under the circumstance”. One wonders
what the circumstance is that would further degrade the Northern Alberta
environment, putting at danger the health of the fragile environment and the
people who live there. Perhaps the
prospect of the multinational, foreign owned petroleum company pumping 100 000
barrels of oil a day from the area holds out the promise of too much money
skimmed as taxes to pay attention to the damage done.
The local First Nation asked for and was granted an
extension before the decision was made whether to grant Shell Canada permission
to mine the area. The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation have pointed out that
granting permission to mine will violate federal laws governing fishing and
species at risk as well as violating treaty rights. The decision to grant
permission was made before the extension ran out.
The local Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is crying foul.
Chief Allen Adam is quoted on the CBC:"They just kept us in the loop and strung us along and played games with us," he said. "To them it's all a game."CBC News
Greenpeace spokespersons have come out strongly against
further exploitation of the oily sands in the region. The government appointed
panel warned of permanent damage to the area if the Jackpine claim was granted.
The review concluded that the project would mean the permanent loss of thousands of hectares of wetlands, which could harm migratory birds, caribou and other wildlife and wipe out traditional plants used for generations. CBC News
Canada is a big
country but the deliberate laying waste of a further 8 500 hectares(21
000acres) to fill the coffers of BigOil and contribute to world air pollution
seems like a very bad act.
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