Some might call it hypocrisy, others might call it just getting to the point a little late, but in any case, it was still hard to believe.
Stephen Harper said, “We simply have to find a way to create lower carbon-emitting sources of energy.”
Now, this was said at the recent G-7 summit where the nation’s leaders get together for photo ops and some behind-the-scenes arm twisting, so we’re not sure if Harper was just trying to look like he’s a 21st-century leader or if he’s really serious.
After all, Germany has basically called out Canada for its handling of the oilsands and says this nation is shirking its global Leadership responsibilities.
Harper said the call for a low-carbon footprint will “require a transformation in our energy sectors. Nobody’s going to start to shut down their industries or turn off the lights.” That’s an understatement. Harper’s government has done virtually nothing to move away from oil dependency. Far from turning off the lights, Harper has, by his complete lack of leadership, turned a blind eye to the problem.
There is something sadly ironic that while Harper stands spouting clichés at the G7 gathering in Germany, back in Canada nothing has changed.
In fact, here in Burnaby, the National Energy Board is looking at an application by Kinder Morgan to make a massive expansion of both its oil pipeline and shipping facility.
If Harper was remotely serious about changing course in this country, he would have directed the NEB to allow information and evidence regarding the impact of such proposals on climate change. But, instead, we have a board that will ignore the elephant in the room. And, why is that? Because if one looks at what impact our rush to expand the oil business has on our future on this planet, one would have no rational excuse for massive expansion. It is simply counter-survival.
It’s a bit like a parole board deciding that it can’t look at how a murderer’s release might impact the community, only looking at how good he was at keeping his cell clean during his stay in prison.
But perhaps we misjudge Harper, and somewhere on his desk, beneath his plans for Senate reform, is a brave new plan for transforming the energy sector in Canada. One that would see a newly formed National Energy Board securing proposals and funding for new alternative energy sources. Dream on.
