The Council of Canadians spent
2007 advocating for a national
energy strategy that would provide
for Canadians in times of
shortage, while also protecting
the environment and guaranteeing
access to the people who need it the
most. The SPP moves Canada closer to
a continental resource pact that means
secure energy resources for the United
States, while the future energy needs of
Canadians are left unaddressed.
This was proven recently by a lawsuit launched by American oil corporations
Exxon-Mobil and Murphy Oil. The
companies are suing the Canadian government
under NAFTA for $60 million, contesting the requirement for them to
spend a fraction of their soaring profits
from the Atlantic region on research and
job development there.
As a result of NAFTA and the SPP, huge
transnational corporations are now stripping
Canada of its energy resources while
at the same time draining and contaminating
our water, poisoning our land and
air, and accelerating climate change. In
2007 the Council revitalized our energy
campaign, releasing a report, Energy
Royalties: Are Canadians Getting Fleeced?,
that points out the obscene profits that
big energy corporations make, while
paying only miniscule royalties to the
Alberta government.
In May, Council of Canadians board
member Gordon Laxer made a presentation to the International Trade
Committee pointing out the links
between the SPP and its impact on
energy policies. It caused a firestorm on
Parliament Hill, prompting Conservative
MPs to abruptly shut down the meeting
after Laxer commented that Canadians
will be left to “freeze in the dark” if the
government moves ahead with plans to
further integrate Canada’s energy supplies
with the United States.
In February 2008, we launched our first
national day of action in support of a
Canadian Energy Strategy, and we are
planning to spend the next year building
our campaign calling for a safe, secure
and environmentally responsible supply
of energy for future generations of
Canadians.
There are so many opportunities to get involved in the fight for a better Canada. Consider joining your local chapter today. |
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Annual report 2007 (including summary statement of revenue and expenditure)
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