LETTER

Eight more pipelines would spur jobs, economy

 

There is no argument that climate change is real. There is also no argument about how much Canada contributes to GHGs (greenhouse gases): 1.6% of the world's output. Since it's not much, why are we threatening our economy to make such a small change, one that still won’t have us reach 2020, let alone the 2030, targets?

Most governments in Canada are opting for a Cap and Trade or a Carbon Tax. With either, it's governments collecting taxes that go directly into government coffers, none earmarked to reduce our "carbon footprint", at all. A third option (proposed by Elizabeth May) called Carbon Pricing and Dividend increases taxes on consumption but returns all revenues to individuals and businesses as lower income and payroll taxes. No government opted for this. The concept of "revenue neutral" has escaped our ruling politicians. Short of helping create new jobs to increase tax revenues, governments prefer to increase taxes the easy way - going after existing taxpayers.

Why is it taking so long for our economy to rebound? Even though our Prime Minister has borrowed billions for infrastructure - which should create jobs -- it is taking entirely too long. My solution is simple and (almost) immediate - to allow  various pipelines to get approvals and to start building as soon as possible. Energy companies Enbridge, Suncor, Fortis-Energy, Petronas, Kinder Morgan, and TransCanada have the resources and personnel ready to go. There are at least eight pipelines that would be up and running if they only got the government go-ahead.  Among them are Keystone XL, Northern Gateway, Energy East, Trans Mountain, Pacific Northwest LNG, Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas & LNG.  (If Clinton becomes President, she will move forward on Keystone.)  Approvals from the various agencies and departments have been granted, for the most part.  

There are groups who oppose pipelines, no matter what - even if energy companies' plans have passed rigorous inspection and have received (quite stringent) regulatory approvals. Consultations with concerned groups are necessary, but there has to be closure at some point.  After that, all that is required is an executive decision by the federal government.  

A truism: Governments don't create jobs.  Industries create jobs when governments create favourable conditions. Canada has not fully recovered from the 2008 recession and our economy and our unemployed need that executive decision.

One of the offshoots of pipeline jobs would be the creation of jobs in other industries: housing, food industry, autos, hospitality, etc.  Now is the time to move ahead. It won't make any difference to our carbon footprint, but will do wonders for our anemic economy.

Steve d'Eça
Aylmer

(Editor’s note:  Mr d’Eça’s letter contains several statements which are opinions, rather than established facts; in publishing them, the Bulletin makes no claim for their veracity.  Although we try to avoid publishing
misleading claims of any kind, it should be clear these opinions are Mr d’Eça’s alone.)