(Through Rose-Coloured Glasses)

 We are partners in crime. We fit each other perfectly. We are two of a kind. Me Tar-Sands. You BP.

Although copycat oilspills are springing up everywhere, in China, in Michigan, we are, shame to admit, still the top environmental polluters of this world.

Here in Alberta, we are causing permanent damage to Canada’s Boreal forest ecosystem and the Athabasca River ecosystem, destruction of scarce freshwater, generation of toxic waste. Our Tar Sands “Gigaproject” is the largest industrial project in human history and likely also the most destructive. The tar sands mining procedure releases at least three times the CO2 emissions as regular oil production and is slated to become the single largest industrial contributor in North America to Climate Change.

But have no fear, BP buddy; your company is still among the largest private sector energy corporations in the world. The 20 April 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon, in which 11 people died, led to an oil spill that contaminated a vast area of United States marine environment along the Gulf of Mexico, and continued to have a serious impact on wildlife. For three devastating long months, estimated 70,000 barrels of crude oil gushed out into the ocean each day. The resulting oil slick covered at least 2,500 square miles (6,500 km2), fluctuating daily depending on weather conditions, affecting the coastlines of Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, including the wetlands near New Orleans. Scientists have also reported immense underwater plumes of dissolved oil not visible at the surface. The spill continued to cause extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats as well as the Gulf’s seafood industries, including fishing, oyster and shrimp; and tourism industries.

Chief Hayward, heard that you are being replaced and exiled to Siberia. Why don’t you come and join me Tar-Sands here in Alberta. After all, you have single-handedly turned all the coastline beaches into tar-sand black goldmines.  We promise you to have your life back here in this conservatively run great little country and especially this wild rose province.

Rethink Alberta.