Greenpeace
According to Greenpeace, the development of the oil sands is a massive environmental
catastrophe. Greenpeace is a radical environmental group that believes the problem of
the Oil Sands Project are greater than any possible benefits. Oil sands underlie 142 200
square kilometers of forests and wetlands. According to Greenpeace, Oil and pipeline
companies will destroy the natural environment by dirty mining and building oil pipelines
across Canada and the USA to transport their oil for export. In the opinion of your group,
the development of the oil sands MUST BE STOPPED and pipelines MUST NOT BE BUILT.
Your group’s goal is to tell the Hearing board about all of the problems that oil sands
development can cause for wildlife, forests and water in Canada. In addition, you will tell
the Hearing Board about the dangers of the proposed Northern Gateway Oil Pipeline. You
want to stand out from the other boring presentations and make an impression on
Canadians. If you have to arrange some sort of protest to get the attention of the media,
then you will!
According to Greenpeace, some of the consequences of the oil sands development are:
 Species like the woodland caribou are now threatened because their habitat has
been destroyed
 Several species of whales will be at risk if oil spills happen from proposed pipelines
 Over 300 species of birds may be threatened if their habitat continues to be
destroyed.
 200 million litres of toxic tailings are produced every DAY in the oil sands
 Toxic chemicals are leaking from tailings ponds and poisoning waterways
 Over 10% of wetlands in the Boreal Forest will be destroyed
YOUR TASKS:
 Research
o Oil Sands and Water Pollution
o Oil Sands and Forests
o Oil Sands and Wildlife
o Reasons to say NO to the Northern Gateway pipeline
 Share information with other groups who are against the oil sands
 Interview the Oil and Pipeline Companies to find out what they are doing to reduce
the impacts of the oil sands
 Try to convince the Alberta and BC Governments to spend their “Energy Futures
Grants” on renewable energy or cleaning up the oil sands
 Negotiate with other groups to try to find some things you can agree on.
 CREATE and deliver a presentation to convince the Hearing Board to STOP ALL
EXPANSION of oil sands development and STOP THE PIPELINE!
 Consider doing something ATTENTION GRABBING to warn Canadians about the
dangers of the oil sands
USE the links below to help you find information about Greenpeace’s position. Pay special
attention to the “fact sheets”. They are easy to read.
Oil Sands:
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/campaigns/Energy/tarsands/Resources/
Pipeline:
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/Global/canada/report/2012/05/Greenpeace%20stop
%20the%20pipeline%20fact%20sheet.pdf
Infographics: http://www.oilsandsrealitycheck.org/
ENBRIDGE: Northern Gateway Pipeline Company
Your company wants to get permission to build an oil pipeline called the “Northern
Gateway” pipeline. It will carry oil from Alberta to port in Kitimat, British Columbia. From
BC, the oil can be moved to tanker ships and exported around the world. According to
Enbridge, having a pipeline will mean that we can easily sell our oil far beyond North
America. More oil exported to Asia will mean up to $270 billion more in GDP for Canada in
the next 30 years!
Your pipeline is expected to:





Carry 525 000 barrels of oil per day to port for export
Generate up to $48 billion in income for Canadians
Create 1 150 long term jobs in Canada
will generate about $280 million for Aboriginal people in Canada in the next 30 years
Generate tax revenue for Governments to spend on health, education, and other
projects
But Environmental and Aboriginal groups are trying to stop the building of the Northern
Gateway Pipeline. Greenpeace, the Tar Sands Solutions Network, and the Athabasca
Chipewyan First Nation groups all want to stop the pipeline. You are confident that your
environmental plans will offer protection from leaks, and you plan to repair any land
cleared for construction. Your company’s scientists have spent years developing ways to
minimize the impacts of pipelines on environmentally sensitive areas. You need to prove
to the hearing board that your project will be safe, clean, and good for the economy and
all Canadians.
Enbridge- Northern Gateway Pipeline
Your Jobs:
 Research:
o Details about the number and type of jobs that will be created
o How the pipeline will benefit Aboriginal people
o How Enbridge plans to prevent oil spills and leaks (from pipelines and ships)
o How the route of the pipeline avoids environmentally sensitive areas
 Work together with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. See if you
can share ideas to help each other.
 Approach the Alberta Government, Greenpeace, and the Fort McMurray and Fort
Chipewyan groups to convince them that you want to find a way to keep them
happy
 Try to convince the Alberta and BC Governments to spend their “Energy Futures
Grants” on helping you pay for research oil spill prevention and cleanup
 Create a presentation to the Hearing Board and convince them to recommend the
approval of your pipeline. The more support you have from other groups, the
more likely your approval.
USE the links below to help you find information about Enbridge’s position
http://www.gatewayfacts.ca/
http://www.gatewayfacts.ca/about-the-project/project-overview/
(Hint: Hover your mouse over the word “Benefits” or “Environmental Responsibility” in the menu at the
top. You can then choose from more detailed information)
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
Your group represents many companies that operate to extract oil from the oil sands (ie.
Suncor, Syncrude, Exxon). You want to convince the Hearing Board of two things:
1) Oil Sands production should continue to increase
2) The Northern Gateway Pipeline should be approved.
There will be several groups that are working hard to make sure you do not get approval
for your goals. Environmental groups like Greenpeace and the Tar Sands Solution Network
think oil sand production is too damaging for the environment. First Nations groups like
the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation feel that Aboriginal rights and lifestyle are in danger
because of the oil sands. You will need to work hard to try to “win over” these groups.
According to CAPP, there are big impacts because it is a big project. But the impacts are
worth it because the Oil Sands industry:
 Will contribute $2.1 Trillion to Canada’s economy in the next 25 years
 By 2030, there can be 905, 000 oil sands related jobs.
 Has provided jobs for 1700 Aboriginal people
CAPP companies have been investing lots of money in “green” technology. Your scientists
are discovering ways to make less tailings ponds, use less water, and better protect
wildlife.
You must make sure the Hearing Board and other groups know how hard you are working
to benefit Aboriginal groups and the environment.
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Research:
o New technology for “cleaner” oil production for:
 Water Use and Contamination
 Land (Wetlands and Forests)
 Wildlife
 Tailings Ponds
o New technologies that use less land and water
o Benefits of oil sands development for Aboriginal people
o The number and types of jobs generated by the oil sands
o The benefits of oil sands on the Canadian economy
 Work together with Enbridge to see how you can help each other
 Approach the Alberta Government, Greenpeace, Fort McKay and the Athabasca
Chipewyan First Nation groups to see what more you can do to gain their support
 Try to convince the Alberta and BC Governments to spend their “Energy Futures
Grants” on research for new technologies to create cleaner oil
 Create a presentation to the Hearing Board and convince them to recommend the
approval of more oil sands development. The more support you have from other
groups, the more likely your approval.
 USE the links below to help you find information about CAPP’s position:
www.capp.ca
http://oilsandstoday.ca
(Hint: Click on “Topics of Interest” or “Energy, Economy and Environment” from the menu
at the top)
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN)
Your goals are to stop future oil sands development and pipelines unless there are major
changes that benefit First Nations people and the environment.
A treaty, known “Treaty 8”(1899), was signed between Canada and several First Nations in
Alberta. This treaty guaranteed the right for Aboriginal people to continue their traditional
ways of living. It guaranteed First Nations the right to trap, hunt, and fish on all the lands
included in the treaty for “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.”
The ACFN is opposed to continued development of the oil sands because it is making it
difficult for First Nations people to continue to their traditions. The oil sands developments
are polluting your waters, destroying the habitat of animals. You have launched several
legal cases against the oil industry and Governments of Alberta and Canada for violating
your treaty rights. You will fight against continued oil sands development until it is
stopped, or until the rules make sure that your hunting and fishing rights are no longer
violated.
Treaty rights are not the only problem. Your community has noticed an increase in
diseases such as cancer, and attribute this to toxic chemicals coming downstream from the
oil sands operations. The Alberta Cancer Board has found increases in different types of
cancer in Fort Chipewyan and Fort McKay. According to local scientists, Aboriginal people
may be at risk for cancer because wild caught foods like moose, duck and beaver had
higher than normal levels of toxins like arsenic, mercury and cadmium.
You support First Nations and environmental groups in Alberta and British Columbia who
are working to stop the Northern Gateway pipeline. You worry that more pipelines mean
more mining for oil, and more risks of spills and contamination.
ATHABASCA CHIPEWYAN FIRST NATION
THINGS TO DO:
 Research:
o The location of your lands
o The rights that treaties have promised your people
o Impacts of oil sands development on:
 your land (wildlife, water)
 culture and health (ie. cancer rates)
o The risks of oil spills and leaks from pipelines on other First Nations
 Interview the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Enbridge about
how they plan to protect your health and environment, and rights
 Work with environmental groups to share information
 Try to convince the Alberta and BC Governments to spend their “Energy Futures
Grants” on cleaning up the oil sands
 Create a presentation for the Hearing Board meeting that says NO to oil sands
development and pipelines
USE the links below to help you find information about ACFN’s position:
http://www.beaverlakecreenation.ca/upload/documents/pressrelease.pdf
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/alberta-tar-sands-illegal-treaty-8-first-nations-shell-oil
http://tarsandssolutions.org/tar-sands/human-rights
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/07/08/report-alberta-oil-sands-contaminate-wildfood-give-aboriginals-cancer-155721
FORT MCKAY GROUP OF COMPANIES
The Fort McKay Group is a group of companies that are 100% owned by the Fort McKay
First Nation. The group started a small janitorial company then grew into a major
operation that services businesses in the oil sands. Now, the Fort McKay Group is made of
6 companies, all of which are involved with the Oil Sands Project. The Fort McKay Group
runs vehicle servicing, oil transportation, and heavy equipment leasing businesses, and
makes over $100 million each year.
The Fort McKay Group has seen huge rises in employment rates since it started working in
the oil sand industry. While they benefit economically from the Oil Sands, the Fort McKay
Group has major concerns about environmental issues, especially tailings ponds.
The goal of the Fort McKay Group is to fight for balance in the development of Oil Sands.
You want to :
 Continue to develop the oil sands, but make sure the environmental problems are
reduced
 Convince oil companies to promise to clean up tailings ponds
 Convince oil companies to listen to First Nations concerns about treaties
 Support the Northern Gateway pipeline, as long as environmental protection is a
high priority
FORT MCKAY GROUP
Things to do:
 Research:
o benefits to Fort McKay and other First Nations from jobs related to oil sands.
o “greener” technologies that are being developed
o The problems of tailings ponds
o The benefits of the Northern Gateway Pipeline
o The environmental problems of the Northern Gateway Pipleline
 Interview Enbridge to see how they plan to protect the environment from oil spills
 Interview CAPP to see what they are doing to protect the environment
 Meet with other Aboriginal groups to see if some cooperation between the groups is
possible
 Try to convince the Alberta and BC Governments to spend their “Energy Futures
Grants” on helping Aboriginal business to have their own cleaner oil companies
 Prepare a presentation that clearly states the reasons your support the current
levels of oil production, as long as tailing ponds are cleaned up. Include your
views on the Pipeline.
USE the links below to help you find information about Fort McKay’s position:
http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/22/fort-mckay-aboriginals-take-good-with-the-bad-of-the-oilsands/?__lsa=b0f4-0c80
http://www.fortmckaygroup.com/
http://pipeupagainstenbridge.ca/
http://www.gatewayfacts.ca/
Government of Alberta – Provincial Government
The Province of Alberta has become a wealthy province because of the oil sands. The
Government of Alberta support oil sands development and pipelines. However, it is also
their job to ensure that people are healthy and the environment is protected.
The Government of Alberta states that Oil Sands development is essential for Canada
because:
 The oil sands employs 121 500 people in Alberta (and many more in other
provinces)
 They give opportunity to First Nations people since at least 10% of jobs in the
industry are allocated to First Nations people
 The oil sands generated $3.56 billion for Alberta in 2012/13
 Your scientists say that cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan are no higher than normal,
and that health concerns have been taken seriously.
 The Northern Gateway pipeline will allow the Canadian oil industry to grow, and
earn more money
 Pipelines are the safest way to transport oil
Your government wants to be re-elected in the next election, and so you must appeal to
the interests of all Albertans to get their votes. You hope to convince the
environmentalists and First Nations people who vote in Alberta that your support for the
oil industry will be good for everyone.
To keep everyone happy, you want to convince the Canadian Association of Petroleum
Producers to invest at least 5% of their profits to researching and designing technologies
that are environmentally friendly.
EXTRA: Your government has set aside $50 million for a fund called “Energy Futures
Grants”. You must let all the other groups know about the fund, and then decide how to
use the money for the best results. You may decide to use it for oil investment, cleanup,
new technology, research, or alternative energy development.
GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
THINGS TO DO:
 Research
o How Aboriginal people have benefitted from the oil sands
o What the Alberta Government is doing about cancer in Fort Chipewyan
o How the oil sands development benefits Alberta’s economy
o The safety of oil pipelines
o British Colombia’s reasons to oppose the Northern Gateway Project
 Ensure that the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers invests in “greener”
technology
 Interview the people of Fort McKay, RAVEN, and Fort Chipewyan to be clear about
their concerns
 Try to convince the British Columbia Government to support the pipeline
 Decide on how to spend your $50 million Energy Future Grants
 Present your recommendations to the Hearing Board
USE the links below to help you find information about the Alberta Government’s position:
http://oilsands.alberta.ca/about.html
http://oilsands.alberta.ca/economicinvestment.html
http://www.oilsands.alberta.ca/FactSheets/Aboriginal_FSht_Nov_2013_Online.pdf
http://www.oilsands.alberta.ca/FactSheets/economic_benefits_-_AB_oil_to_market_-_final.pdf
http://pipeupagainstenbridge.ca/
Tar Sands Solution Network
The Tar Sands Solution Network is a group of organizations working together to stop all the
development in the tar sands. You use the term “tar sands” instead of “oil sands”. As
stated on your website, your goal is to stop the expansion of the Canadian Tar Sands and
pipelines and invest in alternative energy production instead .
In the opinion of your group, the Tar Sands must be stopped because they are contributing
to global climate change. Extreme weather, drought, shrinking artic ice – all are symptoms
of a big problem: our reliance on fossil fuels. Your group wants change.
Every year, oil and gas companies get $1.4 billion in tax breaks from the Canadian
Government. You want to tell Canadians that we should stop supporting non-renewable
energy and invest in renewables instead. Your group thinks that invest in clean energy will
help our environment and economy for generations to come. You believe we must:
o Understand the dangers of climate change
o Support new renewable energy sources
o Convince the government to shift to renewable energy
Every year, Canadians are in the top 5 nations for energy use per person. We’re energy
pigs! As a nation, we release 734 megatons of greenhouse gasses every year. Your group
wants to tell the Hearing Board that we have to stop being so careless in our energy use.
You want the Hearing Board to not only recommend stopping oil sands production, but to
recommend that Canada invest money in renewables and energy conservation.
Tar Sands Solutions Network
Things to do:
 Research:
o the dangers of climate change
o The amount of greenhouse gases produced by the Oil Sands industry
o How the Canadian government currently supports the oil and gas industry
o The reasons to switch to renewable energy
o The reasons Canada should invest in energy conservation
o The things we need to do to switch to renewable energy
 Cooperate with any other groups who support your views
 Try to convince the Alberta and BC Governments to spend their “Energy Futures
Grants” on renewable energy instead of on the oil industry
 Prepare a presentation to convince the Hearing Board to recommend that oil sands
expansion is stopped, pipeline projects are cancelled, and that renewable energy
and conservation is where Canada should invest its resources.
.
USE the links below to help you find information about the Tar Sands Solutions Network’s
position:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/2000/powershift11.pdf (Info packed document on stopping
climate change)
http://tarsandssolutions.org
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/climate-change/science/impacts/impacts-of-climate-change/
http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/global_warming/cethethreat/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-missing-out-on-green-energy-revolution-report-says1.2774192
ABORIGINAL GROUP: RAVEN TRUST
Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs
"I look at what is happening to our traditional hunting lands, and I lie awake at night. I worry that this is not just the
end of our way of life, but the end of all of our lives." - Former Chief Al Lameman, Beaver Lake Cree First Nation
RAVEN Trust supports environmental sustainability and First Nations people. The group
works to defend the rights of all First Nations. One of your goals is to stop future oil sands
development and pipelines.
Treaties, known “Treaty 6”(1876) and “Treaty 8”(1899), were signed between Canada and
several First Nations in Alberta. These treaties guaranteed the right for Aboriginal people
to continue their traditional ways of living. It guaranteed First Nations the right to trap,
hunt, and fish on all the lands included in the treaty for “as long as the sun shines, the
grass grows, and the rivers flow.” RAVEN is opposed to continued development of the oil
sands and pipelines because development is making it difficult for First Nations people to
continue to their traditions.
RAVEN supports the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in their concerns over increases
toxic chemicals coming downstream from the oil sands operations. Aboriginal people may
be at risk for cancer because wild caught foods like moose, duck and beaver had higher
than normal levels of toxins like arsenic, mercury and cadmium.
RAVEN wants to stop the Northern Gateway Pipeline. They are worried that there will be
oil spills and leaks along the route of the pipeline. There are also major concerns that
Aboriginal People who rely on wild salmon for fishing will lose their way of life if there are
spills from oil tankers on the Pacific Ocean coast. A major study of the risk of pipeline spills
predicted that there would likely be 776 oil spills over 50 years. This estimate is 31 times
higher than Enbridge’s estimate of 25 spills. You don’t trust Enbridge to be honest about
the dangers of the pipeline for First Nations people, the environment and all Canadians.
ABORIGINAL GROUP: RAVEN TRUST
Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs
THINGS TO DO:
 Research:
o The rights promised to Aboriginal people in treaties and the concerns of the
Beaver Creek First Nation and the BC Wild Salmon Alliance
o Impacts of oil sands development on:
 Water, forests and wildlife in Alberta
o The risks of oil spills and leaks from pipelines on other First Nations
 On wild salmon
 On the British Columbian coastal environment
 Interview the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Enbridge about
how they plan to protect your health and environment, and rights
 Cooperate with other groups who are anti-oil sands
 Try to convince the Alberta and BC Governments to spend their “Energy Futures
Grants” on cleaning up the oil sands or renewable energy
 Create a presentation for the Hearing Board meeting that says NO to oil sands
development and pipelines
USE the links below to help you find information about RAVEN Trust’s position:
http://www.raventrust.com/media/beaverlakecree/Save_the_Cariboo_-_Stop_the_Tar_Sands.pdf
http://www.beaverlakecreenation.ca/upload/documents/pressrelease.pdf
http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/WILD_SALMON_FOREVER_v2.pdf
http://pipeupagainstenbridge.ca/five-big-problems
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/study-shows-a-higher-risk-of-northern-gatewaypipeline-spills-than-enbridge-estimated/article11670885/uj6
Government of British Columbia
In June 2014, the Government of Canada gave preliminary approval to build the Northern
Gateway Pipeline. However, the Government of BC still says “NO WAY”. Enbridge says
there is little risk of oil spills and leaks but the BC Government does not agree. The
Government of BC does not want the Northern Gateway Pipeline for three major reasons:
Risks of oil spills contaminating the environment, danger to fishing and tourism industry,
not enough money and long term jobs to justify the risk.
In terms of the Environment, BC worries about supertankers carrying oil through BC’s
coastal islands. One major spill could cost as much as $ 9 billion to clean up! A research
study from Simon Fraser University says that there will likely be an oil spill from tanker
ships every 10 years. The same study says that there is a high chance of up to 15 spills and
leaks per year from the pipeline
Many British Columbians worry that oil spills and leaks could destroy their tourism and
fishing industry. The pipeline route crosses over 800 salmon streams. Spills and leaks
could contaminate the streams and kill the salmon. BC’s fishing and tourism industry
earns $50 billion. BC doesn’t want to risk destroying those industries
First Nations groups have spoken out strongly against the pipeline with campaigns like
“Save the Fraser Watershed”, “The Wild Salmon Alliance”, and “Hold the Wall”.
Others have concerns that BC will not make enough money from the project compared to
Alberta. The project says that BC will have 3000 construction jobs and 560 long term jobs.
Enbridge estimates that BC will earn $9 billion from the pipeline over 30 years. However,
the Government worries that just one major spill could cost that much in cleanup, and
more in lost jobs in fishing and tourism.
EXTRA: Let all groups know that you have a $25 million “Energy Future Grant” to spend.
Decide how best to spend the money.
Government of British Columbia
THINGS TO DO:
 Research:
o Find out how much money and how many jobs BC would get from the
Northern Gateway Pipeline.
o The risks of oil spills from Northern Gateway in British Columbia
o Research the dangers of oil spills. Find examples from spills elsewhere
o The reasons why BC First Nations oppose the Pipeline
o Find out how many jobs are in the fishing and tourism industries in BC. Find
out how these industries would be threatened by oil spills.
 Interview the Enbridge and Alberta government representatives about your
concerns. Ask them how they plan to address your worries.
 Cooperate with environmental and First Nations Groups
 Decide on how to spend your “Energy Futures Grants”
 Create a presentation for the Hearing Board that outlines your concerns
Use the following sites to begin your reseach:
http://pipeupagainstenbridge.ca/ (See “5 Big Problems” under the dropdown menu for “The Project”)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/study-shows-a-higher-risk-of-northerngateway-pipeline-spills-than-enbridge-estimated/article11670885/
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/flash/oil-spill.html (cool simulation of what might happen in BC after an oil
spill)
http://savethefraser.ca/ (BC First Nations declaration- see the Map)
http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/FNWSA/#axzz3ERXb3Q8B (Wild Salmon Alliance)
http://www.saveoursalmon.ca/issues/economic_risk/
HEARING BOARD Committee
Your group has been appointed hold a hearing to listen to the views of all the
“stakeholders” or groups in the oil sands debate. You are not experts on the area, and
have been chosen because you are thought to be neutral. However, you must become
experts to make high quality recommendations.
You are expected to make a recommendation to the Government of Canada on the
following three points:
1) Whether to stop, increase, or decrease oil sands production over the next 20 years.
2) Whether to approve the building of the Northern Gateway pipeline
Your group’s responsibility is huge. You must take all views into account and fully explain
what you thing the future of the oil sands should look like.
Things to do:
 Carefully read through the roles of each group. Make notes on the views and goals
of each group. Read through some of the links in the various roles.
 Prepare for the Hearing (the layout of the room, the “rules”, the presentation order)
 Prepare an Opening Speech to begin the Hearings
 Observe and ask questions during the “negotiation” phases
 Listen to all presentations, and ask the presenters questions
 Decide on your recommendations and create your presentation
 Present your recommendations to the class