| Gas Pipeline Subsidies Raise Questions | 01 December 05 |
 The Sierra Club of Canada says that letter from Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan guaranteeing additional federal subsidies to the Mackenzie Gas Project raises questions about Canada's commitment to fighting climate change. In the letter, McLellan commits taxpayers to pay up to $1.2 billion in "fiscal enhancements" to allow multinational oil companies to build natural gas pipelines and anchor fields that will fuel production of tar sands oil. Mackenzie gas is intended to fuel the planned five-fold expansion of oil production from Alberta tar sands by 2030. Tar sands mining produces roughly twice as much greenhouse gases per barrel of oil as conventionally produced oil, destroys boreal forest and wetlands, and produces massive tailings, air and water pollution. "On the eve of commencement of global climate negotiations in Montreal, this promise of more subsidies to fabulously profitable oil companies such as Imperial Oil and Exxon Mobil surely damages Canada's credibility." said Stephen Hazell, conservation director for Sierra Club of Canada. Sierra Club of Canada is asking Canadians and Americans to sign the Mackenzie WILD Declaration in order to constrain the growth of the tar sands industry as well as protect Mackenzie Valley wilderness. View the full November 19, 2005 Sierra Club of Canada press release Visit the Mackenzie WILD campaign web site View the November 17, 2005 letter from Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan (DOC) Source: Sierra Club of Canada |
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