Layton calls on Harper to halt Kearl project
Listening to: Johnny Paycheck
Reposted from: http://www.ndp.ca/page/6493?refer=subtext
Thu 5 Jun 2008
Concerns remain on tar sands impact on health and environment
OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jack Layton today called on the Prime Minster Harper to stop the fast-tracking of Imperial Oil’s $8 billion tar sands development until outstanding concerns are addressed.
“I’m calling on the Prime Minster to immediately halt the fast-tracking of Imperial Oil’s Kearl development in the Alberta tar sands“, said Mr Layton. “This $8 billion development, located 70 kilometers north of Fort McMurray, will pump 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere each year. That’s the equivalent of putting 800,000 new cars on the road - and letting them idle, non-stop, for fifty years.”
Layton called on the Harper government to not award the federal water permit Imperial Oil requires from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in order to proceed with the tar sands development.
“I’m calling on the Conservative government to not issue the permit until such time as conditions are attached that require real measures to address and mitigate the significant impacts on the environment and the health of the First Nation communities,” said Layton.
Layton noted that Parliament specifically amended the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to broaden the powers of the federal government to impose requirements on tar sands development to address such impacts.
“I’m calling on the Prime Minister to use these powers to protect the interests of Albertans and all Canadians and especially those of future generations who will live with the disastrous consequences of climate change,” said Layton. “As the experience of the Dene and the Cree in Fort Chipewyan tragically demonstrate, it is before, not after, the development of the tar sands, that all impacts, including cumulative impacts, must be carefully examined, prevented or fully mitigated.”
Reposted from: http://www.ndp.ca/page/6493?refer=subtext
Thu 5 Jun 2008
Concerns remain on tar sands impact on health and environment
OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jack Layton today called on the Prime Minster Harper to stop the fast-tracking of Imperial Oil’s $8 billion tar sands development until outstanding concerns are addressed.
“I’m calling on the Prime Minster to immediately halt the fast-tracking of Imperial Oil’s Kearl development in the Alberta tar sands“, said Mr Layton. “This $8 billion development, located 70 kilometers north of Fort McMurray, will pump 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere each year. That’s the equivalent of putting 800,000 new cars on the road - and letting them idle, non-stop, for fifty years.”
Layton called on the Harper government to not award the federal water permit Imperial Oil requires from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in order to proceed with the tar sands development.
“I’m calling on the Conservative government to not issue the permit until such time as conditions are attached that require real measures to address and mitigate the significant impacts on the environment and the health of the First Nation communities,” said Layton.
Layton noted that Parliament specifically amended the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to broaden the powers of the federal government to impose requirements on tar sands development to address such impacts.
“I’m calling on the Prime Minister to use these powers to protect the interests of Albertans and all Canadians and especially those of future generations who will live with the disastrous consequences of climate change,” said Layton. “As the experience of the Dene and the Cree in Fort Chipewyan tragically demonstrate, it is before, not after, the development of the tar sands, that all impacts, including cumulative impacts, must be carefully examined, prevented or fully mitigated.”