Natural Resources

Carbon bubble could have same impact as 2008 financial crisis

Two recent reports are warning that the over-valuation of oil, gas and coal reserves could lead to a  “carbon bubble” that would have the same type of impact on the economy as the 2008 financial crisis.

Keystone XL set to create jobs in Texas

Among the complaints about the Keystone XL pipeline is that it will further limit Canada to being an exporter of low value raw materials for others to make money processing. A Globe and Mail article on the impact Keystone is expected to have on oil refineries near Houston provided yet another reminder of how refining Canadian oil will help the US economy.

Fraser Institute praise of Norway's management of oil revenues misses key points

The Fraser Institute is right to praise Norway's management of it's oil revenues.

Even though Norway's petroleum fund was created 20 years after the Alberta Heritage Savings Fund, it is 41 times the size. It has $664 billion in assets and is growing rapidly. In contrast, the Alberta Heritage Savings Fund has only $16 billion.

Lack of energy strategy bad for economy as well as environment

A recent article in the Winnipeg Free Press argued that the failure to look at the environmental impact of energy projects isn't just bad for the environment. It's harming the economy.

The federal government would do a better job of meeting our energy and economic needs with a national strategy that addresses environmental impacts from the beginning.

Alberta government documents show economic benefit of refining bitumen in Alberta

Alberta Department of Energy documents show the economic benefits of upgrading raw bitumen from the oil sands in Alberta instead of exporting it.

Canada-China investment agreement a barrier to building Canadian economy

The Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) will make it difficult for Canadian federal, provincial or municipal governments to use many of the tools used successfully in other countries to create jobs and develop the economy.

Under the agreement, Chinese companies will be entitled to the same treatment as Canadian companies. Chinese companies will also have the ability to appeal to tribunals for compensation if they can argue that federal, provincial or municipal laws or policies affect their profits.

Lack of industrial strategy means Ontario may get little benefit from developing the “Ring of Fire”

An op ed from CPAWS Wildlands League pointed to the problems that could occur if mistakes are made developing the “Ring of Fire” mineral resources in Northern Ontario. These problems include environmental damage and with it the loss of lands used by First Nations.

Fixing these problems would be expensive and it would be Ontario taxpayers footing the bill.

June 2008: The Forestry Crisis (Part III), Proposed market-based “solutions” would only worsen the crisis

 

Things like the reduction in the amount of land for forestry worldwide means the Canadian forestry industry is viable in the long-term, but help is needed to allow plants and communities to survive in the short-term.(http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/monitor/june-2008-forestry...)