Thank you for shining the spotlight on Canada’s rising petro-dollar. [Gateway Pipeline Pros and Cons, Common Ground, March 2012]. This issue has been completely ignored by the mainstream media. Both the Gateway pipeline and the expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline would definitely put a premium on the Canadian dollar. In addition, at least two natural gas liquefaction facilities are planned for the BC coast, to boost exports of natural gas, further pushing up our petro-dollar. On top of that, we have rapidly rising coal exports.
Job losses in the Canadian manufacturing sector will be inevitable, as our strong currency makes our products non-competitive in foreign markets. Canadians shopping south of the border will lead to job losses in Canadian retailing. All of this is blissfully ignored by Mr. Harper and his crew.
All of the power generated by Site C on the Peace River (not yet approved) will be required for these projects. Natural gas liquefaction requires immense amounts of electricity. The Gateway pipeline alone would gobble up 20 percent of site C power.
It is easy to see why BC Hydro and the BC government argue that the demand for electricity will rise by 50 percent in the next 20 years. The demand will come from these mega projects – from the aggressive export of fossil fuels – not from domestic needs. Never mind that the unique and beautiful Peace River will be flooded, 8,000 acres of the most fertile agricultural land will disappear and that these fossil fuels will accelerate global warming. The fossil fuel exporters require electricity and they will get it at a fraction of what the public pays. These grandiose schemes are sold to the public on the false premise that they create jobs.
By Canadian law, Enbridge’s liability is capped at a mere $40 million dollars in case of an off shore spill.
– Tina Childs
