Alberta's Oil Sands - A Manitoban Perspective
Recently, my dear friend James approached me wondering whether or not, hypothetically, I would support development of tar sands if oil was found in Manitoba. And it is such an impossible question to ponder. It's easy to have an opinion on this huge issue when it is far off in another province, where it does not directly effect our lives and local ecosystems. It can be easy to allow the tar sands development to go on, when we see how it is benefiting Canada as a whole economically, and choose to ignore how it is terrorizing Alberta.
The economic benefits to our have-not province would be insurmountable, were oil sands to be discovered. Water parks and museums would spring up everywhere, while pot holes and road bumps would level out. Yet it would not be worth it. I could not sit back and watch Manitoba's pristine north get destroyed. All the money in the world is not worth it. Though much more gradual, there are other, more sustainable ways of generating revenue. Oil sands should not be an option, no matter the sacrifice.
It saddens me to the core, recalling back to a trainride to Churchill, Manitoba, two summers ago, where I spent approximately seventeen hours staring out the window at beautiful, immaculate landscapes that have never been touched, and never should be. We rolled by land that has possibly never been walked upon, or if anything, it has only ever been literally "lived off of", responsibly. Forests and lakes and meadows that have looked the exact same for the past 500 years, and I dearly hope that continues for another half a millennium.
It's impossible to comprehend all the damage that has already been done in Alberta. Irreparable damage. But it is not too late. Thankfully, Manitoba (so far) does not seem to have oil, so this is an issue that us Manitobans needn't worry about. But still, even over 1000 kilometres away, this humongous issue still affects us. We still have a reason to be concerned, to be passionate, to educate ourselves, and to speak out against it. The fact that it is not local is no excuse! Our nations' well being is at stake. We are the ones currently benefiting economically, and in the future if nothing is done, the entire nation will suffer and grieve at the expense of Northern Alberta's environmental demise.
Citizens of Alberta, of Manitoba, and from all across Canada must educate themselves about this potential disaster, and formulate their own opinion. As Canadians, every one of us should care, and every one of us has a right to express our opinions. This situation must be resolved, and the only way to do that is with proper communication between the government, the people, and the corporations. The three groups must work together, to meet the financial needs of Canadians, ethically follow environmental regulations, and lastly, look to the energy demands of other nations such as the United States and China. This is our country, our people, and our precious land. We cannot compromise when it comes to sacrificing Canada's own biodiversity and forests and fresh water. Action must be taken immediately before it is too late.
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