MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2001

George Bush says 'jump': Ralph Goodale says 'how high'?

(OTTAWA) The Council of Canadians is calling for a moratorium on new trans-national energy pipelines until NAFTA is renegotiated to ensure stable, affordable pricing for Canadians, and to protect the environment. The call comes on the heels of a statement made yesterday by Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale that Canada is willing to fast-track new pipeline developments to the U.S.

"We already export 60% of our oil and gas south of the border. Under NAFTA, once we increase that amount, we're locked in," said Anil Naidoo, Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. "If we turn up the taps, we won't be able to turn them back down. Why should we sell of our energy security to solve their home-grown energy problems?

It's no coincidence that Goodale made his statement one week after Bush presented his energy plan calling for accelerated pipeline development in Canada.

"The Mexican government exempted themselves from the NAFTA energy chapter and have protected their energy sector through their constitution," Naidoo said. "Instead, Canada handed over our energy resources on a silver platter. Unbelievably, Chretien and Goodale think we should accelerate the hand-over. When will it stop?"

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