The development of Alberta's oil sands continues to present significant opportunities and challenges for Albertans. Development of the oil sands has far-reaching economic, social and environmental consequences, making the rate and scale of oil sands development one of the most important issues facing Alberta today.
To inform Albertans about their candidates' views on oil sands development, we have commissioned McAllister Opinion Research to conduct an online survey of the candidates in all 83 ridings of the 2008 Alberta election.
Candidates have until February 21, 2008 to take the survey. On February 26, 2008, complete survey results for all candidates will be made available online to the public and the media. As a non-partisan organization, the Pembina Institute will not endorse any candidate or party.
McAllister Opinion Research will pose these questions to candidates in the Alberta Election*:
1. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
1a. The oil sands should be developed as fast as possible.
A. Strongly Agree
B. Moderately Agree
C. Refuse/Unsure
D. Moderately Disagree
E. Strongly Disagree
1b. The Government of Alberta should suspend new oil sands approvals until infrastructure and environmental management issues are addressed in the oil sands region.
A. Strongly Agree
B. Moderately Agree
C. Refuse/Unsure
D. Moderately Disagree
E. Strongly Disagree
1c. New oil sands mines should only be approved if companies can demonstrate that they can return mined areas back to the way they were before mining began.
A. Strongly Agree
B. Moderately Agree
C. Refuse/Unsure
D. Moderately Disagree
E. Strongly Disagree
2. Which one of the following two statements most closely describes how you feel about the pace of oil sands development in Alberta (select one answer):
A. Market forces should decide the rate of oil sands development
B. Government should manage the rate of oil sands development to meet the long term interests of Albertans
C. REFUSE TO ANSWER
3. This question compares two ways to set targets for greenhouse gas emissions in the oil sands for the next few years. Do you think that greenhouse gas reduction targets should seek to reduce the...(select one answer)
A. Total amount of greenhouse gas emissions below current levels, even if it costs industry more
B. Amount of greenhouse gas emissions per barrel of oil produced, even if total emissions continue to increase
C. REFUSE TO ANSWER
*These questions were developed by the Pembina Institute in association with Probe Research Inc.
