SERGIO MARCHI
Plubished May 1, 2018
The authors of an opinion piece, “Canada’s Energy Opportunity is Bigger Than a Pipeline,” published in The Vancouver Sun on April 27 contend that Canada is being diverted by the pipeline debate from focusing on other critical energy issues. They say this is undermining our transition to a cleaner future. I believe they are selling our country short.
Canada is more than capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. Just consider some of the realities that define our energy landscape:
• EV sales have increased 68 per cent year-over-year;
• Renewables are also growing. Wind generation is 20 times what it was in 2005. Solar grew by 60 per cent in 2013, with Ontario being in the top 20 markets globally based on installed capacity;
• Natural gas is a credible bridge for these intermittent renewables;
• Canada’s nuclear stock is clean, reliable and safe;
• Canada’s electricity sector is currently at 82 per cent GHG emissions free, making it one of the cleanest in the globe;
• Canada has committed to weaning itself off coal by 2030;
• Innovation is at the centre of all energy sources, producing cleaner, greener outcomes;
• We are part of the successful energy Chapter in NAFTA, which can help transform our continent as the world’s premiere regional energy hub
Let’s not pretend that Canada is standing still. Let’s also change the channel on the popular pastime of pulling ourselves down by the bootstraps. What about celebrating and reinforcing some things we are actually doing well?
The authors extensively quote Chinese statistics on EV’s and other related issues, in an effort to prove that Canada is being left far behind on the energy and environmental front. Well, while China deserves full credit for its recent and impressive progress, because of their 1.3 billion population base, simply quoting statistics skews any argument. Of course, Canada will come up short in that game.
Any objective assessment on their sustainability record must go behind the numbers, and assess the state of their environment, including the quality of their existing air, water, and soil conditions. By that measurement, Canadians have nothing to be embarrassed about.
Furthermore, there was no effort in justifying our pipeline debate. This is a hugely important issue for our country, and it needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.
For the sake of transparency, I am in favour of building an oil pipeline to our west coast, so that we can finally access Asian markets. Relying on just a single pathway to the U.S. for our oil, while facing strong protectionist headwinds, and an America that is awash with their own oil and gas, is an incredibly risky strategy. Diversifying our oil export markets is simply a smart thing to do.
As well, building transformative energy infrastructure, to take advantage of our rich natural resources, is part of our country’s nation-building imperative. Recall how our forefathers built the railways in the 19th century. The highways, railways, and broadcasting systems in the 20th. More recently, our space arm extended mankind’s reach into space.
Every generation has an obligation to think ahead; to build today, in order to ensure tomorrow’s economic prosperity. We must now do our part and honour our nation-building responsibilities.
Of course, safety and sustainability are undeniably critical considerations that must guide any proposed pipeline, and all energy infrastructure for that matter. Local concerns in British Columbia deserve careful and genuine attention.
But this debate goes far beyond that. With respect, the pipeline discussion is not just a local matter for our fellow citizens in B.C. and Alberta. Nor is it a western issue.
Building or not building a pipeline is a matter of significant economic importance. Moreover, it is a national issue. One that legitimately touches the vested interests of all 35 million Canadian “shareholders”.
That is what mega projects imply. They are matters of national concern, which must integrate local views, but should not grant local vetoes.
As such, in weighing the pros and cons of building pipelines, our federal government must balance both local concerns and national interests, as it strives to render the best judgement on behalf of all Canadians.
While we are fond of saying that “all politics is local”, when it comes to truly national builds, our politics must become more pan-Canadian.
Sergio Marchi formerly served as a federal MP and minister from Toronto, as well as ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva. He currently is president and CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association.