Put Canadians’ energy needs first

89% of Canadians agree that Canada should establish an energy policy that provides reliable supplies of oil, gas and electricity at stable prices and protects the environment.

NAFTA signed away significant control of our energy resources to the market and big oil companies. Canada’s obligations under NAFTA include preventing us from ever cutting back the proportion of energy we produce and sell to the U.S., even to meet Canadians’ needs or conserve energy resources. The SPP prioritizes energy integration, seeing North America as one huge market instead of three independent countries. It also threatens environmental restrictions and First Nations land claims.

Faced with the realities of diminishing energy reserves globally, climate change and a call for a five-fold expansion of the Alberta tar sands as part of the SPP, we are at a critical juncture for energy policy. Now, more than ever, we need strong policy in the form of a Canadian Energy Strategy that provides security of energy supplies, guarantees access to energy reserves in times of need, and establishes strong policies that protect our environment and focuses on finding alternative, less-harmful energy solutions. This would prioritize the public interest over energy integration driven by market interests.  

This federal election, tell candidates to support the creation of a Canadian Energy Strategy.