Publications
Divided We Fall: The Tar Sands vs. The Rest of Canada
By: Environmental Defence; ForestEthics
Published: May 2009
A change of direction on climate policy is in the works in Ottawa, prompted by developments in Washington, DC. The Government of Canada is now designing new rules for carbon polluters.
The tar sands is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Special treatment for the tar sands industry could come at the expense of the industrial sectors that are the economic backbone of provinces such as Ontario and Québec - sectors whose emissions are on the decline. The economic repercussions of a biased system design could hurt non-petroleum industries in Canada, and drive a damaging wedge between the provinces.
Provinces, businesses, labour leaders, and citizens need to engage in the design of a national cap and trade system to ensure it is fair and doesn't favour the tar sands at the expense of other parts of the country.
Tagged with: climate policy, greenhouse gases, ottawa
