Oil Sands Question and Response (OSQAR) Blog

COSIA performance update: pace of environmental performance accelerating

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At this time of year, people around the world take in various interpretations of the past year. From fireside chats with American presidents to the Queen’s Christmas broadcasts to the Commonwealth, from Time Magazine’s Top 10 lists to The Onion’s absurd year-end review, these annual traditions prompt us to stop and consider the year that was.

Are energy companies the baaaaad scapegoats?

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There are mountain goats, dairy goats and meat goats. And then there are scapegoats.

Overcoming old man winter

Spare a thought for our workers this winter. To help deliver energy, they’ll be braving weather conditions so harsh simply thinking about it can evoke chills.

Tolerance and common sense: Extolling the Canadian way

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Harsh treatment of environmental and human rights protestors in some countries reminds of us how fortunate we are as Canadians to live in a society which embraces and respects differences of opinion.

Canada’s energy debate: Looking beyond labels

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We live in a world where everything tends to be classified, labeled or catalogued.

Stinky, mucky and oh so valuable

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Everything is nature has a purpose, so the saying goes. So what about places where you can’t venture without rubber boots, gloves, or bug spray? Surely we don’t need those mucky, swampy wetlands that abound across Alberta. They’re stinky, mushy, and not always suitable for camping, picnics and boating. 

New campaign explained: why Pembina is speaking out

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This week we asked Ed Whittingham, executive director of the Pembina Institute, to be our guest blogger, responding to questions we had about a new campaign promoted by Pembina and other Canadian environmental organizations.

So a polar bear, kangaroo and moose walk into a bar...

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Sometimes it seems it’s all or nothing for Alberta’s oil sands regulation. Environmental oversight is often seen by critics as too weak, or unnecessarily stringent by advocates. While oil sands opponents insist the government isn’t doing enough to mitigate its impacts, development supporters say regulation is not only adequate and effective, it is erring towards over-regulation, unnecessarily constraining the development of a vital and valuable resource for Alberta and Canada.

How much oil sands land is really being reclaimed?

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Environmental non-government organizations (ENGOs) have been critical of the oil sands for the slow pace and extent of reclamation.