Canadian Oil Sands -- Feedback
The following letter from a Canadian was received on 11-15-2001 in response to my page on the possibility of the United States purchasing oil from the Alberta Oil Sands:
Hello:
I came across your site indirectly. I am particularily interested in your comments regarding terrorism and oil sands.
My I suggest that before you start focusing on solving US oil issues by using the Alberta oil sands or pipelines down the Mackenzie delta or the Alaska highway you might want to think about solving the softwood lumber issue. Even the US's lapdog the WTO has slapped the US down twice before on this issue, yet you keep coming back for more, and this time with a policy that is so far offside that it is silly. Can you explain why your government is insisting on using bully tactics? The results of this policy are that a few US lumber producers are getting rich, a lot of US residents are paying too much for their new houses and a lot of Canadians are being hurt.
Canadians have helped the US in many ways -- and vice versa --, but we always have to remind you that our resources are ours, not yours. So solve the lumber problem then lets talk oil.
By the way. Canadians will, I hope, always be ready to stand with the US as the need arises, and especially in the fight against terrorism. I doubt that any country was providing tangible assistance sooner or greater military and related support, relative to size.
A. de C.
Dear A.de C.
I have not suggested that we rape the Canadian resources. In fact, I have stolen this report directly from Toronto's leading and most respected newspaper, The Globe and Mail. It is their entire 8 paragraph article.
I agree with you that the United States needs to pursue alternative energy sources and look within to solve our ultimate energy needs; however, I took seriously the Globe and Mail's suggestion that instead of purchasing oil from the Saudi's, that we look to resources that our neighbors, the Canadians, might have to offer. And, even if we have to pay an additional price!
If Canada doesn't want to sell it? Then great... that's fine. We have no right to Canadian resources.
I really have no clue about the softwood lumber issue. Perhaps I should know about it, but in spite of being at least a weekly reader of the Toronto Globe and Mail, I have not been exposed to the issue. If I come across information regarding it, and I am concerned, I will contact my Congress representatives with my concerns.
In the meantime, I don't think that we are at war with Canada. My site is about exploring alternatives, not in exploiting a friend.
Elle