Hbr-Abc

Harper’s claim and stance:

Harper’s embrace and support of oil sands as “ethical” source of energy is comprised of careful analysis and comparison between oil producing countries, their human rights history, ethical practices and environmental performance.

Harper’s claim that “Government’s position is clear” in regards to oil sands as ethical source is based on the following reasoning:

• It is a common understanding that petroleum-driven industrial society is not going to fade away any time soon as alternatives sources such as wind and solar sources are heavily subsidized job destroyers. The Alberta oil sands get undue criticism because it is in Canada where people have freedom of speech; it is a country which is free, open and democratic with an excellent human rights record in recent history.

• Harper believes that Alberta oil sands are a source of economic growth and job growth across the country, not only in the West but in Ontario and Quebec as well. But he also believes that it is critical to develop these resources in a manner that is not only responsible but environmental as well.

The prime minister believes that Canada’s “ethical oil” is the best, considering the alternatives. If the United States doesn’t take oil from the oil sands, then, the alternative option would be Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Nigeria or Iran, whose human rights records are not only appalling but whose environmental performance tends not to be so great either. These countries have undemocratic political structures and if history teaches a lesson then it is a known fact that up rises and voices for revolution raises as injustice prevails. There are numerous recent examples to analyze the unrest