The NDP Candidate Linda McQuaig stated during an interview on CBC that Oil Sands oil will need to stay in the ground to meet our greenhouse gas commitments.
In response Conservative Candidate Michelle Rempel stated disapproval of the idea of keeping oil in the ground: “…Our Government and our Prime Minister talks about a balance between protecting the environment and ensuring economic growth. What you have heard here today is the ideological aversion to the development of one of Canada’s most prosperous resources by the left…”[1]
However there are a couple of points. “According to a 2009 paper in the journal Nature by researchers from Oxford University and elsewhere calculated that more than half the planet’s proven oil, gas and coal reserves would have to be left in the ground for the world to keep global warming to below two degrees Celsius — considered a critical threshold to avoid massive climate disasters.” [1]
Second, at the most recent G7 conference Canada agreed to ending the use of fossil fuels by 2100 [2]. As Canada was represented by Harper, it means Harper agreed to this objective.
According to Paul Wells of MacClean’s Magazine, the Oil Sands, using current extraction technologies, contain about 170 years known reserves. As it is just 85 years until 2100 the implication is that 50% of the oil will remain in the ground.
While it might not be based on an ideological reason it would appear that the Conservative commitments will also leave oil in the ground.
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