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Brewmaster · 11-23-2016, 12:53 PM

Does anyone else get frustrated with the reports coming out of other parts of Canada that serve to vilify our oil and gas industry to the average citizen? They typically have flashy websites and infographics but show no balance in their blatantly one-sided view of the industry.

Here are a couple specific examples relating to fossil fuel 'subsidies':

http://www.iisd.org/faq/ffs/canada/

http://environmentaldefence.ca/repor...uel-subsidies/

They are essentially claiming that the oil and gas industry is a $3.3B/year drain on our economy and that the citizens are directly subsidizing it with money that would otherwise be spent on health care, education, etc. They list 'Crown Royalty Reductions' in Alberta as making up about 1/3 of this amount, which shows a complete lack of understanding for how the royalty system works.

I understand the environmental opposition to oil and gas megaprojects and think there is some benefit to holding companies feet to the fire when it comes to developing the resource responsibly, but claiming that these industries are an economic drain on our society is just flat out wrong. I'm concerned what the average Canadian believes when they read reports like these as the organizations appear quite well established and certainly know how to market their product.

11-23-2016, 12:53 PM	#3096
Brewmaster Scoring Winger Join Date: Feb 2006 Exp:	Does anyone else get frustrated with the reports coming out of other parts of Canada that serve to vilify our oil and gas industry to the average citizen? They typically have flashy websites and infographics but show no balance in their blatantly one-sided view of the industry. Here are a couple specific examples relating to fossil fuel 'subsidies': http://www.iisd.org/faq/ffs/canada/ http://environmentaldefence.ca/repor...uel-subsidies/ They are essentially claiming that the oil and gas industry is a $3.3B/year drain on our economy and that the citizens are directly subsidizing it with money that would otherwise be spent on health care, education, etc. They list 'Crown Royalty Reductions' in Alberta as making up about 1/3 of this amount, which shows a complete lack of understanding for how the royalty system works. I understand the environmental opposition to oil and gas megaprojects and think there is some benefit to holding companies feet to the fire when it comes to developing the resource responsibly, but claiming that these industries are an economic drain on our society is just flat out wrong. I'm concerned what the average Canadian believes when they read reports like these as the organizations appear quite well established and certainly know how to market their product.