The non-profit environmental research and education group disclosed information that demonstrates efforts of the Harper government and Canadian diplomats at the embassy in Washington, D. C. to support the oil sands projects despite global warming concerns.
Canadian Diplomats Opposed Environmental Recommendations
Through access to information legislation, The Pembina Institute attained documents that show the Canadian government’s activities aimed at undermining U.S. global warming policies.
One Canadian diplomat at the embassy in Washington described Environment Canada’s recommendations to clean up the oil sands operations as “simply nutty”. In support of the vast oil sands industry, the diplomat proposed that U. S. energy legislation that would apply to the industry should be killed.
Proposed United States Legislation
The messages were sent when the industry was lobbying against the proposed U. S. Energy Independence and Security Act, Section 526, which could restrict government agencies and departments from purchasing fuel that has a large environmental footprint.
The correspondence shows that Canadian diplomats contacted officials from the industry’s American Petroleum Institute, BP, Chevron Corporation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and others “to point out the potential implication to their imports from Canada”. One energy counsellor at the Canadian embassy urged an Exxon Mobil official to become involved in the political debate against the proposed legislation.
Harper Government Communication Strategy
In correspondence with oil-industry representatives and government trade lawyers, Jason Tolland, Counsellor for Environment and Energy at the Canadian Embassy, wrote, “We hope that we can find a solution to ensure that the oil keeps a-flowing”.
The recent disclosures follow last week’s Postmedia News revelations of the Harper government’s development of a communications strategy with the Alberta government and industry stakeholders to attack “foreign environmental policies and promote the oil sands”.
Clare Demerse, Associate Director of Climate Change at the Pembina Institute, said the government should remember, “That it works for Canadians, not the oil companies”. She added that in reading the documents, she was surprised that no one at Canadian Foreign Affairs acknowledges the benefits in cutting greenhouse gas pollution. “Instead, the officials dismiss U. S. efforts to clean up the fuel they buy as ‘protectionism’.”
Diplomats’ Duties Described by Vienna Convention
Regarding the diplomats and their lobbying, “Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations clearly states:
- “Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State”.
Sources:
Calgary Herald, Postmedia News, Mike De Souza November 29, 2010
Kathleen Airdrie - Kathleen has thirty years' freelance writing experience covering history, biographical profiles, environmental and social issues
