Future Bargain Bin Special

Continuing in the fine tradition of Trudeau, Chrétien, and other Eastern Canadians afflicted with delusional self-importance comes the latest example of ‘them’ telling ‘us’ in Alberta how to live.

Montreal journalist Bill Marsden’s new book, “Stupid to the Last Drop” targets the most evil of all evils, the Alberta tar sands, and our nonchalance to the impact he claims it is having on our environment. Painting a picture that seems right out of some apocalyptic science-fiction story, Marsden attempts to describe our province as some backwater community whose citizens can’t get the oil out of the ground fast enough, trees and the cute little forest creatures be damned!

He doesn’t limit his attack to just the northern part of Alberta. Marsden spreads his sky-is-falling focus to the south as well, waving his finger at Alberta for "carpet-bombing its southern half with tens of thousands of gas wells." Oh, brother.

Meant to be a warning to all Canadians that Alberta is rushing too fast and destroying itself (at least that is the message I think Marsden was trying to convey. Neither his writing style nor content is what you could call ‘riveting’), the impression one gets is quite different.

Marsden claims, “Alberta has lost control of its resources on so many levels and doesn't know what to do about it ... what you're doing with the oilsands is a catastrophe and what you're about to do with coalbed methane is a potential catastrophe."

For someone who was born and raised here and has had many occasions to experience first-hand the Alberta oil and gas industries, I can say with confidence that there is a higher level of environmental awareness then ever before. All companies involved, from mammoths like Petro-Canada to small subsidiary and satellite companies such as oilfield maintenance and equipment firms, have long-ago bought into the idea of finding a balance between energy production and low environmental impact.

Rebuilding the landscape of Alberta’s north has long been the standard for our industries, and they should be commended for their work. Even the Alberta government, long time Conservative and long time friend of the oilpatch, was the first provincial government in Canada to bring in strict environmental impact (greenhouse) rules. The fact is that Albertans take the well-being of our air and water seriously.

What Albertans can’t take seriously is another Quebecer enjoying all of the benefits of Alberta’s economy, while publicly damning the manner by which those benefits are derived. It is the Alberta energy sector that allows Quebecers such as Marsden to enjoy their yearly Equalization payments.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Bill. And keep your Chicken Little routine to yourself.