Hard work on pipeline bears fruit
B.C.-Alberta report maps out way forward
Public acceptance of oil and gas extraction begins at the community level
The new progress report from a joint B.C.-Alberta government working group is the first substantive sign that Canada’s two westernmost provinces are getting serious about resolving the issues that stand in the way of moving heavy oil to Asian markets.
It is a most welcome development.
When Alberta Premier Alison Redford and B.C. Premier Christy Clark unveiled a framework for an agreement in November 2013, its broad generalities were unsettling.
The pact opted for Pollyanna-like expressions of good intent, making it abundantly clear that hard work lies ahead.
Worse, there was no roadmap showing how the two provinces could meet midway on B.C.’s five conditions for supporting Northern Gateway: successful completion of the environmental review process, marine spill risk mitigation, land spill prevention and recovery, addressing First Nations rights and “fair share” fiscal and economic benefits for B.C.
The task force’s report suggests the heavy lifting has begun.
It highlights the need for greater responsiveness to those who have raised environmental concerns, developing a world-class marine and land spill regime and opening talks with Ottawa on finding the cash to improve transportation infrastructure.
It also stresses jobs and economic growth — two things heavy on the minds of the thousands of British Columbians who rely on the resource sector for their livelihoods.
It’s a comprehensive agenda that could help Clark secure the level of public acceptance she needs to be comfortable backing Northern Gateway.
The task force team consisted of five working groups: responsible development and public engagement, marine and terrestrial spillage, First Nations, transportation, and fiscal and economic benefits.
Its report clearly recognizes that these themes are interconnected. For example, responsible development requires an approach to preventing and mitigating spills on land and at sea, as well as First Nations consultation. The public must have confidence that these issues are being properly managed.
The report also notes there is “a disconnect between public perception and the reality of the Canadian oil and gas sector’s contribution to jobs, personal income, the economy, and energy security for Canadians… .”
The task force proposes to address this disconnect, and it is critically important that it does.
Western Canada’s provincial economies depend heavily on their ability to develop, produce and market resources — almost 20 per cent of GDP in Western Canada is generated by resource industries. More than 80 per cent of the GDP generated by Canada’s resource industries comes from their operations in the four western provinces.
Support for resou rce development depends on successfully addressing the task force’s five themes.
Public acceptance of oil and gas extraction begins at the community level. Those most affected by resource development must have confidence that the resulting economic benefits are fairly and equitably distributed. Companies must also be comfortable that they can deliver the benefits they promise.
Communities, governments and companies must work together to ensure the natural environment, community health, individual health and public safety are protected and enhanced. Where aboriginal communities are involved, their unique standards of engagement, communications and cultural support must be respected. Each community’s trust is earned by delivering on these issues.
The issues are sometimes so complex that companies and communities cannot resolve them on their own. This is where the provincial governments must lend a hand.
The work of the Alberta and B.C. governments will also help address concerns from outside forces, such as the emergency response division of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which in September 2013 cited a number of potential risks associated with shipping bitumen through B.C.
As the National Energy Board’s report on Northern Gateway makes clear, there are numerous steps that must still be taken to safeguard the public and protect the natural environment.
This is what we expect of companies, regulators and governments.