On February 4 the Council of Canadians is calling for a National Day of Action in support of a Canadian Energy Strategy. The Comox Valley Chapter is asking local municipal councilors to sign an endorsement for the need for such a policy in Canada. All of the municipal representatives who have declared their support will be publicized.

Canada is one of the few countries in the world which does NOT have an energy policy. It seems ironic (if not moronic) that Canada now produces about 40 per cent more oil than it consumes, yet Quebec and Atlantic Canada rely on imports to meet 90 per cent of their oil needs. Under NAFTA we’ve been obligated to supply the United States with oil. There is definitely something wrong with this picture, is there not?

We have let the market direct energy production and this has led to an energy gold rush which has impacted our environment. Statistics Canada reports that energy production and consumption in Canada accounted for more than 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2005.

The Alberta oil sands, on average, require two to five barrels of water to produce one barrel of crude oil. The tailings ponds left have devastated an area larger than Florida.

Some people will point out that the oil sands contribute to our economy. What isn’t generally known or acknowledged is that the oil and gas industries in Canada have lower taxation levels than all other major industries in Canada. Our economy would benefit more if we transition to more sustainable energy production that provides quality, public “green” jobs.

Downstream from the tar sands, local physicians have sounded the alarm about unusually high cancer rates. To say nothing about the longer term health hazards from greenhouse gases.

What is needed, for starters, is to have a rational energy plan for all of Canada, and to make the government accountable to Canadian citizens instead of to the large corporations.

All of us can contact our Prime Minister at pmpm.gc.ca and, in the process, we can empower ourselves by having our say about this issue. The postal address is 80 Wellington St., Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2.

Sincerely,

Gwyn Frayne, on behalf of

Comox Valley Chapter, Council of Canadians