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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation recently did some investigative research into the double standards faced by our energy industry.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation recently did some investigative research into the double standards faced by our energy industry.

As you’ll likely remember, the Energy East pipeline project was cancelled this fall because of the National Energy Board’s shifting criteria for approval. In the middle of the approval process, the NEB demanded analysis of the project's upstream and downstream emissions.

With this in mind, the CTF filed an ATIP request to find out what environmental oversights were imposed on companies receiving government subsidies. Unsurprisingly, these companies were not held to nearly the same standards.

Bombardier infamously received $373 million from the federal government last February. Their upstream and downstream emissions? The government’s keeping that confidential. And the following month, automobile manufacturer Ford received $102 million dollars from the federal government – with no emissions analysis.

This is the sort of double standard our industry deals with on a daily basis. Projects that will support Canadian workers and contribute to our economy are forced to jump through hoop after hoop - while companies that take from the taxpayers get a free pass. 

You can watch Interim Alberta Director Colin Craig’s video on this here, or read his article in the Financial Post.

The NEB’s inconsistent approval process doesn’t benefit the planet. Suppressing Canadian production just cuts off access to resources harvested with the world’s best technologies and best workers. The world is not better off with less Canada and less Canadian energy – the world needs more Canada.