Kyoto and the pollution province

Alberta might fairly be referred to as the pollution province. With only ten per cent of the country's population, it produces 27 per cent of the air pollution. Ontario, with 38 per cent of the population, produces 21 per cent. The major polluter in Alberta is Syncrude's Mildred Lake plant in the tar sands. And therein lies the dilemma. As the world's, and particularly the United States', thirst for oil increases, so will the production of oil from the tar sands, and so will Canada's pollution.

Confronting the demand for oil is challenge enough for our Kyoto commitment; the election of a Conservative government has probably put it beyond reach. Both the prime minister and the environment minister are from Alberta. An all-out assault on air pollution will be required to meet our Kyoto commitment and how can two Conservative Alberta politicians possibly be expected to take on the oil business?

Furthermore, this government seems determined to prove itself a good and faithful friend, if not servant, of the United States, and the United States is comfortable in its belief that our oil is their oil. This government will no doubt wish to maintain their comfort level.

Canadians support Kyoto, but satisfying Kyoto would be highly unsatisfying to the pollution province and therefore to our federal government. A dilemma indeed.