An overwhelming majority of Albertans believe the government and industry should do more to protect the environment in the face of oilsands developments in northeastern Alberta. These are the findings of a recent poll commissioned by the Pembina Institute.
"The results of the survey show Albertans' vision is very different than current plans for oilsands development. A striking 86 per cent of Albertans feel that oilsands operations should be required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with their development," said Simon Dyer, Senior Policy Analyst for the Pembina Institute.
Albertans were asked about their perceptions of oilsands development, and their expectations in terms of balancing economic development with environmental protection. Environmental considerations included the potential impacts on climate, water use, wildlife habitat and forests.
"These results reveal that Albertans expect a much higher level of environmental protection associated with oilsands development than is being offered," said Mr. Dyer.
The Alberta Government's current 'develop-at-all-cost' mentality, as evidenced by soaring greenhouse gas emissions and water use, and proposals to write off almost 3,000 square kilometres of forest as a huge oilsands mine, are clearly out of step with the desires of the vast majority of Albertans.
The survey results also send a clear message to the federal government that Albertans expect greenhouse gas emissions by industry to be reduced through regulation.
"As the Alberta Government starts its consultation process on how to develop the oilsands, it is important and appropriate that the views of Albertans be reflected in development decisions," says Chris Severson-Baker, Director of the Pembina Institute's Energy Watch Program.
The Minister of Energy should slow down the rate of oilsands lease sales and the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development should implement land use planning that protects forests and threatened species such as woodland caribou.
The Pembina Institute commissioned Probe Research, a professional polling firm based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for the study. The findings are based on a national phone survey of 500 Albertans between April 7 and 13, 2006, with a margin of error of 4.4 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
This is Part 2 of a two-part survey commissioned by the Pembina Institute about Albertans' perceptions of oilsands development. A backgrounder summarizing the poll results, which focused on Albertans' perceptions of the environmental issues related to oilsands development, can be downloaded from here or from www.pembina.org/oil-sands
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For more information, contact:
Simon Dyer
Senior Policy Analyst
403.269.3344 Ext. 104
Cell: 403.322.3937
Chris Severson-Baker
Director, Energy Watch Program
403.269.3344 Ext. 101
Cell: 403.899.7423
High resolution images of oilsands development are available for journalists from www.pembina.org/oil-sands.
The news release and summary of the poll results for Part 1 of the oilsands survey, which covered Albertans' perceptions of the economic issues related to oilsands development, can be downloaded from www.pembina.org/oil-sands. For the full report from Probe Research please contact Simon Dyer.