An open letter to the First Nations people of Canada,
We have spent years fighting against intolerance, environmental catastrophes, apathy and cultural expectations. If you choose to, I believe we can steer the ship to everyone’s benefit. Allow me a few minutes to explain.
I suggest that we focus our energy on leading the adoption of renewable energy use in Canada for the following reasons:
- First Nations people often use and/or are labeled land/sea defenders, who better than to provide the example
- It is more effective to lead by example enabling people with superior approaches rather than advocating outright denial.
- Public and Private sectors in Canada collectively still have their heads stuck in the oil-sands, which is putting us further and further behind
- Thousands of unemployed workers will be eager to learn.
The oil and gas industry in Canada is now dead. In short, the cost of producing oil far outstrips its value; as of March 27, 2020 it was USD 4.58 when the benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was USD 21.51. As of April 15, 2020 West Canadian Select is USD 4.71 and the widely watched WTI is USD 20.00.
Provide jobs to people on the west coast, in particular, because any bailout money given to oil-sands producers is the equivalent of welfare with an unfortunate side effect: “environmental degradation.” So as a sharp contrast offer them jobs.
It is very likely that the new sections of the Trans-Mountain Pipeline will never be used because of the fall in oil demand. While the probability of an environmental catastrophe is decreased, there is also a risk that the opportunity to turn British Columbia into an environmental example for the world will be squandered.
We are blessed to live in such a life giving environment and we would not have to alter our way of life much for it to flourish once again. Yes, I am referring to lots of job creation while restoring the health of the ocean.
Rene Dansereau, Coquitlam
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