Protecting The Arctic Or Plundering??

I have been hearing a great deal about our desire to protect the environment of the fragile Arctic lands. Because of climate change and global warming the possibility of economic development of resources is now on the table. Our government spent a summer complete with photo ops of our recent concern for the Far North. Yes there are huge natural resources to be found or developed in that area which makes up to 30% of our geographic foot print.

Now that the North West Passage is available for several months of the year, economic benefits are available. Huge or vast reserves of oil and gas  can be found in the waters surrounding Nunavut. Hungry eyes and greedy oil companies see the money to be made and our government is awakening to the fact that pressure will be made to make these resources available.

The time to act to protect these Canadian benefits was years ago but that being said we still have time. The first thing that should be done to keep the faith is to protect the people who have lived there for 10,000 years and give them the same right to a life with clean drinking water and a health plan that meets Canadian standards. Education and training for the local populations must be a priority for the new found jobs  or they will be left behind once more. These people know how to live in that harsh climate and is the greatest natural resource for that country in the future.

Legislation must be put in place to protect the fragile environment. Oil will be the great gift but the most dangerous element in the north where ice covers the water and land for many months of the year. There are three things that must be done to make sure we do not have a tragedy like the one suffered in the Gulf of Mexico.

Every well to be bored over water must have a relief bore hole at the same time as the producing bore hole. The relief bore hole would be made so as to be made operational within one day of a blowout. Next there has to be a cleanup plan to be completed before freeze up. What a tragedy if this was not done. Look to Russian problems caused by not doing this very thing. The third one is to make sure the permitting system protects and demands that every possible environmental condition can be verified and inspected on a regular basis. Recent cutbacks just recently withdrew the water quality inspectors leaving us with a system of self regulation. Crap..we all know the record of international capitalism; it must be regulated with service performance bonds. Oil companies will cry about the costs but they have plenty of money and make huge profits.

The tar sands have been developed before regulations have been put in place and regardless of what the oil company add say they are not sufficient. Less than 2% of the water used by these oil companies is returned into the water system in proper condition. The are trying but in many cases it is too late. Go to Fort McMurray and witness the mess. This can be avoided if we take care of business now.

The True North Strong and Free is part of our national anthem and should   be part of our commitment to that part of Canada which has so much promise.