The North American tar sands - a recent short history

CanWest, June 2008 : "Barack Obama on Tuesday vowed he would break America's addiction to "dirty, dwindling, and dangerously expensive" oil if he is elected U.S. president - and one of his first targets might well be Canada's oilsands."

Fin Post, Sept. 2008 : Stephen Harper on Friday promised that if elected in October, the Conservatives will prohibit oil sands companies from shipping bitumen from Canada's oil sands to countries that do not have equivalent emission reduction targets.
[Translation : All oil sands bitumen will go to US]

G&M, Nov. 6, 2008 : Environment Minister Jim Prentice :
"When you're talking about the environment, you're also talking about energy, and when you're talking about energy, you're also talking about the economy."

Star, Nov. 9, 2008: "Harper ready to harmonize with U.S. on climate change

Canada would provide a secure oil supply in exchange for common standards on emissions."

CBC : Nov. 10, 2008 : Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach :
"I believe Alberta's oilsands are the key to energy security for North America— likely to be a major goal of the new U.S. administration."

Groundwork on Harper's position, courtesy of :
The Fraser Institute :
"If the new Administration and Congress launch a cap-and-trade system on carbon emissions, Canada should lobby for a single Canadian-American approach, rather than separate Canadian and American policies. Such an accord must give special protection for the oil sands industry"


with cheerleading from :
G&M Harper spokescolumnist John Ibbitson :
"Canada should propose a harmonized, universal, continental market, coupled with massive joint investment aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the oil sands, in exchange for guarantees that the U.S. gets all the oil."