[Craic] Egregious decision by Minister Guibeault

[Allan Baker]

Friends;

Here’s my letter to Minister Guibeault about his decision to allow oil production under Baie du Nord.
Please feel free to edit and forward your own letter of objection. It can be an act of hope, eh?

Stay hopeful;
Allan


Dear Minister Guilbeault:

Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL) is a civil society organization educating our 55+ demographic about the impact of climate change on our environment. 

We are distressed by your government’s decision to approve Baie du Nord. It is so ironic that two days after the release of the third and final IPCC Working Group report, and UN Secretary General Guterres statement that:

 “Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals, but the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels,” and that “Investing in new fossil fuels infrastructure is moral and economic madness,”

 you choose to approve this project.

Erika Shaker writes that, “Canada needs to kick its oil addiction as part of our effort to save the planet.” However, in the manner of those who are truly addicted, the Government of Canada seems to have decided  to permit - and to fund - additional oil production while, at the same time, proclaiming that it will meet the commitments made in the Paris Accord. If this is not a sign of addiction, it is confirmation of control of policy by offshore oil companies, as Gordon Laxer wrote in the report, “Big Foreign Oil”: www.Canadians.org/BigForeignOil <http://www.canadians.org/BigForeignOil>
 
Government arguments that this is a cleaner production model for oil compared to the oil sands in Alberta is disingenuous to say the least. It is the burning of these fuels that will cause the destruction of the planet as we know it. As seniors we are very aware that the results of your decision will affect the generations following us. They will experience the devastating impact of your decision. We know that we are responsible for unnecessary GHG emissions that will adversely affect our children and grandchildren, and we don’t want that to happen. 

Increasing oil production is definitely an egregious action!
Liberal MP Ken McDonald stated that Baie du Nord would supply “good, clean oil.” As Environment Minister you know full well there is no such thing as clean oil. We urge you to reconsider this decision and rescind the permit. Canada needs to find other ways to support economic development and do so immediately to ensure a green and just transition away from fossil fuel development and production. 

You stated in the Minister’s forward to your 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: “There is no doubt: Canadians are facing climate change head-on, developing and adopting solutions to the greatest challenge of our time. As a government, we stand with them.” 

As a member of CALL, and one who has been encouraging our fellow Canadians to "face climate change head-on”, I feel betrayed by the decision to go ahead with the Baie du Nord project. I agree with Secretary General Guterres. This decision exemplifies “moral and economic madness”.

You must reverse this decision.

Sincerely,

Allan Baker

Cc John McKay, M.P.
Cc Jagmeet Singh
Cc Prime Minister Trudeau

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