I support the responsible development of the oil sands.

Canaries, ducks, and the oil sands

Coal miners used to take a canary down a mine. When the canary collapsed, it warned the miners that there was danger.

Dead ducks give the same warning about oil sand development in Alberta.

I, like most Albertans, support responsible oil sand development!  But do it right.

The oil sands - how the environmental calamity happened

In the 1970s, with an apparent, imminent decline in conventional Alberta oil production, there was a rush to develop the technology needed to extract oil from oilsands.

In this rush, the long-term need to protect the environment was left for future consideration.

The future is now, and now there is an immediate need to remediate and restore the damaged environment.

Responsible development of the oil sands

Here's how to do it:

1. Honor and enforce terms of existing contracts for development. (That is, don't kill the goose that laid the golden egg)

2. Phase development over 100 years, instead of all at once. (Don't put all the eggs in one basket.)

3. Implement and enforce laws for environmentally responsible development. (Make sure the goose is house broken.)

What an independent Alberta Senator must do for Alberta and the oil sand industry

• Support the development of the oil sands.

• Promote the environmental remediation and restoration of the damage at the oil sands.

• Establish a World Centre for Environmental Remediation and Restoration in Fort McMurray:

1. To lead the clean-up of the mess; and
2. To develop a new industry exporting technology.