But Harper’s party is in the doldrums these days. So is the economy. It may be time for a bold strategic initiative, something truly worthy of the incessant invocation of ‘Canada’s economic action plan.’
Not so long ago, the prime minister liked to promote Canada as an energy superpower. It was pure rhetoric, of course. Superpowers, like super heroes (or super villains), are imbued with special attributes that elevate them above mere mortals. It may be the ability to leap a tall building in a single bound or crawl up walls and across ceilings or zap your adversaries frozen.
When it comes to petroleum, Saudi Arabia is a superpower; it controls a cartel that moves prices. The United States is a superpower; it applies military force to keep supplies flowing. Russia is a superpower; it bends neighbouring states to its will through energy extortion.
Canada is blessed with extraordinary hydrocarbon deposits: the third largest producer of natural gas in the world and the sixth largest production and third largest reservoirs of oil. And the world still wants and needs “every single drop of Canadian oil,” the International Energy Agency’s chief economist recently stated.
But Canada is no energy superpower. We are a price-taker not a price-maker, and a heavily discounted price at that. We petition the likes of Nebraska to let our pipe pass under its cornfields. We can’t even get our oil across our own territory and we tie ourselves in knots about reversing a pipeline back to its original direction.
The question is what would it take to actually become an energy superpower? It starts by addressing the, er, root causes of our energy weaknesses, and then proceeding to create sustainable advantage. In the process, everything is on the table: improved relations with aboriginals and environmentalists; leadership on science and technology; clear investment rules; increased domestic processing; full participation in international treaty-making; getting ahead on Arctic issues; and, of course, forging accommodation within our federation on getting product to market.
The first task is to stop doing harm. Cease gratuitous swipes at the environmental movement for being in the thrall of “foreign money and influence.” Bringing aboard at least the more moderate elements is essential for any political consensus. That’s even truer for aboriginals. As a nation, we need to understand why native groups oppose developments that will generate desperately needed jobs. Governments and industry must first build trust in the broader relationship and then embrace genuine partnerships. The prime minister’s appointment of a special representative to confer with B.C. aboriginals on the Northern Gateway is a small step in the right direction.
Canada also must reclaim its reputation, no matter how many eyeballs might roll in Ottawa, as activist rather than abstainer in multilateral forums. We could do worse than emulating those diplomats who worked to great national effect a generation ago in shaping the United Nations Law of the Sea. A policy of indifference bordering on hostility has not produced results.
A good place to get back on track is the Arctic. Canada is the first nation to take a second turn as chair of the Arctic Council, a Mulroney-Chrétien era creation. But what’s our agenda, especially as it pertains to long-term energy development in a fragile region? Are we even serious? Where other countries will send their foreign ministers to the council summit this month, the prime minister has chosen symbolism over substance in handing the file to his only Inuit MP, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.
Canada already is a leader in best practices and technology around heavy oil, but we do little to leverage our knowledge for influence. If our aim is to be an energy superpower, how about creating an Office of Clean Energy at least as well endowed as the new Office of Religious Freedom.
Ultimately, the toughest nut comes back to pipelines and access to markets. An acceptable route to the West Coast is of paramount national strategic importance. It will plug us into Asian markets and, in reducing dependence on the United States, increase bargaining power. A pipeline to the East Coast represents innovative thinking to create further outlets, offset imports and spread economic benefits.
Natural resources fall under the purview of the provinces, but a strong national interest exists in the energy field to smash heads, align interests and, if necessary, grease the wheels with federal dollars. If making an energy superpower of Canada isn’t a mission worthy of an economically oriented prime minister from Alberta, what is?
Original Article
Source: thestar.com
Author: Edward Greenspon
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