The strategy for a national energy strategy fails to take meaningful steps towards a low-carbon future and instead supports Canada's fastest growing source of industrial pollution, the oil sands. The plan barely supports renewable energy and energy efficiency and pays lip service to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The ministers' meeting failed to achieve consensus after Ontario disagreed with language calling the oil sands a 'responsible and major supplier of energy to the world'.

We just weren't comfortable with the wording that the oil sands are sustainable and responsible," Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid

Quebec then stepped up and also objected to the energy strategy.

The controversial energy plan impacted the discussion at the Canadian Premiers meeting, known as the Council of the Federation, held in Vancouver July 20-22.

"Well, how about using Canadian tax dollars to support clean energy industry that is taking place, that is developing – we're at the forefront in North America, we're creating thousands of jobs, we're reducing our contribution to climate change. We're shutting down coal-fired plants," said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty in reference to subsidies given to western oil fields, particularly the emission intense oil sands.