The proposed emissions cap framework will hurt 12,000+ Indigenous oil and gas workers, as well as over 100 communities that benefit from resource extraction. While we all know that Canada must lower its emissions, we also need to consider the benefits of oil and gas production.
They are not just statistics; they are individuals with dreams, aspirations, and families to support. The oil and gas sector has been a cornerstone of Canada’s economy, offering stability and prosperity to countless households across the nation.
China is home to more than 1.4 billion people – approximately 35 times the population of Canada. That’s 1.4 billion people who need electricity, heat, and fuel to live and work. Plus, with the second largest economy in the world, China needs an astounding amount of energy to keep economic development flowing in its rural agricultural regions, vast industrial complexes, and densely populated urban centers.
The current emissions cap framework plans to implement a national cap and trade system that would establish a legal upper bound for GHG emissions from LNG facilities and upstream oil and gas facilities, including offshore facilities.
In early December, the Federal government tabled its emissions cap framework. The framework proposes to cap emissions at 35 to 38 per cent below 2019 levels by 2030. This decision has provoked strong reactions from many influential actors in the energy sector, governments across the country, and Indigenous Leaders. Many of these actors insist the cap is simply a production cap on Canadian oil and gas producers.
The announcement of a new federal emissions cap framework has sent shockwaves across the country, creating strong reactions from provinces, resource groups, and various others affected by the policy. As a young Canadian, I feel responsible to lend my voice to this issue.
Young Canadians for Resources (YCR) is taking a proactive stance in the national conversation on emissions cap policies. While advocating for a reduction in oil and gas emissions, young Canadians express skepticism about the efficacy of additional legislation and a further cap on Canadian production.
Many students, when entering universities, are presented the option of adding the “CO-OP Option” to their degree. However, many students are unsure of what those CO-OP placements even are! if you’re one of those, then stick around!
In the hustle of our daily lives as students and young professionals, we often take for granted the availability of food on our tables. Yet, what often goes unnoticed is what lies behind this fundamental aspect of our lives. While it is undoubtedly crucial to be thankful for the hardworking farmers who cultivate the fruits of the land, it's equally important to acknowledge another indispensable sector that contributes to our domestic food security and availability – the Canadian energy sector.
Despite common misconceptions propagated by the media and other policy actors, it is important to understand that developing our oil and gas sectors in Canada is not only beneficial for our country and the world, but also for the development of Indigenous communities in Canada.
