Canadian Prime Minister Wins Award for Being Pro-Oil Sands and Pro-Environment

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is treading a fine line between supporting the economy of oil-sands dependent western Canada and fighting climate change, as impossible as that might sound. His efforts were rewarded by the energy industry.

2 minute read

March 14, 2017, 7:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the keynote speaker at last week's CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Texas, billed as "the premier annual international gathering of energy industry leaders, experts, government officials and policymakers, leaders from the technology, financial, and industrial communities." 

Trudeau received  "the CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award for his efforts to balance the economy with the environment in his government's policy prescriptions," reports Peter Zimonjic for CBC News.

At the end of the speech Trudeau received a standing ovation from the 1,200 people in the packed room, several of whom commented to CBC News that such a warm reception for a keynote speaker was out of the ordinary for the event.

The excerpt from his speech, widely highlighted by the media, may not have been received as well by his more progressive constituents in Canada as well as by environmentalists in other countries.

"No country would find 173 billion barrels of oil and just leave it in the ground," he said. "The resource will be developed. Our job is to ensure this is done responsibly, safely and sustainably."

Canada has the third largest proven reserves of oil after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, however, most are in the form of oil sands, aka tar sands, widely considered the dirtiest form of oil, as they produce more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil when evaluated using a "full-fuel cycle" analysis. If any form of oil is meant to be "kept in the ground" to fight climate change, it would be oil sands, according to many in the environmental community.

Referencing a 1980s energy policy developed by his late father, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and his predecessor, Stephen Harper, the 45-year-old leader of the Liberal Party said the "National Energy Program hurt both growth and jobs while the Conservatives failed to understand that the economy and climate change are linked," adds Zimonjic.

Touting his government's approval of new pipelines, and the Liberal's national plan to put a price on carbon, which were achieved at the same time, Trudeau said his government had achieved some good first steps at growing the economy and protecting the environment — but that more work still needs to be done.

Similarly, President Donald Trump has also approved controversial pipelines, but unlike Trudeau, both he and his environmental administrator question climate change. Rather than showing a willingness to improve the environment, Trump's commitment is to remove what he regards as burdensome regulations on industry.

=====================================================
Related in Planetizen:
What to Expect from Canada's New Prime Minster Justin Trudeau on Climate ChangeNovember 27, 2015: Canada's recent change to a Liberal government means Stephen Harper's legacy in oil gas is at risk. Change is coming.

Thursday, March 9, 2017 in CBC News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

May 30 - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

May 30 - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

May 30 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.