Today we released a report called “Upgrader Alley” which looks at the potential scale of environmental impacts due to a massive expansion in upgrading capacity for the tar sands in the Edmonton area (http://www.pembina.org/pub/1654). It is quite shocking to realize just how much of a scar developing the tar sands at the current pace is going to leave in Alberta and the impact it will have on Canada’s international reputation. One of the principles we outlined in our “Tomorrow Today” report (http://www.tomorrowtodaycanada.ca) was “Good global citizenship” - it is time we started acting on this.
If we are truly going to solve the cumulative environmental impacts of the oil sands, it is time to put a pause on approving further projects. The current slate of approved projects will keep the economy rolling for at least the next 5 years, so let’s take a time-out and put the right systems in place to actually protect the land, water, air and climate.

Marlo Raynolds

Executive Director, Pembina Institute