We must stop oversimplifying Canada’s energy debate: Senator Tannas
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It’s easy to think that an energy dialogue would degenerate into yet another predictable polarization story. On the streets of my hometown in Alberta, and across my country, we are divided. Only 18% of Canadians perceive there are high levels of agreement on the future of oil and gas production, according to a Nanos Research survey published last month.
Instead of framing debate in oversimplified ways that pit renewables against fossil fuels, and Canadians against each other, we’d do well to consider the facts that we can agree on.
Demand has bounced back above the threshold of 100 million barrels per day last seen before the pandemic, and prices have topped US$90 a barrel for the first time since 2014. Natural gas and electricity prices have spiked to record highs in Europe this winter, with no sign of reprieve.
Coal, oil and natural gas currently supply more than 80% of global energy needs. Refineries are operating at maximum capacity and oil-producing countries have increased production to help ease market pressure. The number of rigs working in Western Canada in 2022 is up one-third from a year earlier.
These are facts that we can hang our hats on. What’s puzzling is the way we seem to be ashamed of our plentiful natural resources.
The collective wisdom these days is the transition to a renewable energy future will be a long and complex one. Our dependency on carbon fuels is deeply embedded throughout the standard of living we have come to take for granted. Here in Canada, we are among the most energy intensive consumers on the planet.
Until we make the enormous effort and investment required to shift fully to renewables, the world will need a reliable, affordable supply of conventional energy. For the coming decades, countries will have to source their oil from somewhere.
There are 170 billion barrels of bitumen in the ground in Alberta — the largest amount outside of Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Iran — and it’s arguably the most transparent and ethical. It’s unconscionable that we’d allow these countries a trillion-dollar windfall while alternative energy sources don’t come anywhere near meeting present demand.
Supporting Canada’s oil and gas resources doesn’t mean running roughshod over climate crisis concerns or disrespecting Indigenous rights. It doesn’t mean we don’t introduce phaseout polices or advance alternative sources. It means we meet the challenge of both renewable and carbon-based energy to the best of our ability.
There is a vacuum of leadership that exists now, and into that vacuum are frustrated people stepping forward. We need leadership at all levels to bring us together. A prosperous and principled energy future beckons, but only if we stop flagellating ourselves for our oil and gas wealth or, worse, vilifying the sector.
With leadership and the right spirit of collaboration, Canada can take a more balanced and pragmatic approach to help reduce dependency on fossil fuels without impeding critical oil and gas production
A survey of our actual opinions, rather than our perceived ones, would put more Canadians taking this middle and reasoned position.
Senator Scott Tannas represents Alberta in the Senate.
This article appeared in the March 2, 2022 edition of The Hill Times.
It’s easy to think that an energy dialogue would degenerate into yet another predictable polarization story. On the streets of my hometown in Alberta, and across my country, we are divided. Only 18% of Canadians perceive there are high levels of agreement on the future of oil and gas production, according to a Nanos Research survey published last month.
Instead of framing debate in oversimplified ways that pit renewables against fossil fuels, and Canadians against each other, we’d do well to consider the facts that we can agree on.
Demand has bounced back above the threshold of 100 million barrels per day last seen before the pandemic, and prices have topped US$90 a barrel for the first time since 2014. Natural gas and electricity prices have spiked to record highs in Europe this winter, with no sign of reprieve.
Coal, oil and natural gas currently supply more than 80% of global energy needs. Refineries are operating at maximum capacity and oil-producing countries have increased production to help ease market pressure. The number of rigs working in Western Canada in 2022 is up one-third from a year earlier.
These are facts that we can hang our hats on. What’s puzzling is the way we seem to be ashamed of our plentiful natural resources.
The collective wisdom these days is the transition to a renewable energy future will be a long and complex one. Our dependency on carbon fuels is deeply embedded throughout the standard of living we have come to take for granted. Here in Canada, we are among the most energy intensive consumers on the planet.
Until we make the enormous effort and investment required to shift fully to renewables, the world will need a reliable, affordable supply of conventional energy. For the coming decades, countries will have to source their oil from somewhere.
There are 170 billion barrels of bitumen in the ground in Alberta — the largest amount outside of Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Iran — and it’s arguably the most transparent and ethical. It’s unconscionable that we’d allow these countries a trillion-dollar windfall while alternative energy sources don’t come anywhere near meeting present demand.
Supporting Canada’s oil and gas resources doesn’t mean running roughshod over climate crisis concerns or disrespecting Indigenous rights. It doesn’t mean we don’t introduce phaseout polices or advance alternative sources. It means we meet the challenge of both renewable and carbon-based energy to the best of our ability.
There is a vacuum of leadership that exists now, and into that vacuum are frustrated people stepping forward. We need leadership at all levels to bring us together. A prosperous and principled energy future beckons, but only if we stop flagellating ourselves for our oil and gas wealth or, worse, vilifying the sector.
With leadership and the right spirit of collaboration, Canada can take a more balanced and pragmatic approach to help reduce dependency on fossil fuels without impeding critical oil and gas production
A survey of our actual opinions, rather than our perceived ones, would put more Canadians taking this middle and reasoned position.
Senator Scott Tannas represents Alberta in the Senate.
This article appeared in the March 2, 2022 edition of The Hill Times.