News Release

Northern Environmental Groups Demand Principled Approach to Oil and Gas Development

October 11, 2001 – Non-governmental organizations active in the Northwest Territories and Yukon are challenging governments and industry to support a set of six common principles to be followed in major oil and gas development in Canada's North.

The groups stress that they do not necessarily believe such large-scale development is desirable or necessary. If it does proceed, it should do so in a manner that most benefits northerners, while doing least harm to the northern environment. Northern oil and gas production should also be considered a transitional measure, bridging to more sustainable energy generation and consumption measures.

A consortium of Alaskan gas producers is currently studying alternate routes to bring Alaskan gas to consumers in the U.S. One route would follow the Alaska Highway through Yukon Territory. The other would follow the Mackenzie Valley in the Northwest Territories, after connecting with an underwater pipe that would go along the arctic coast.

“People have been sidetracked by the arguments for or against either route, instead of considering the potential harm from any project of this size,” says John Crump, Executive Director of the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee. “We are saying that if a project goes ahead there are basic principles that must be followed to mitigate that harm.”

To date, both territorial governments have been competing to make their territory more attractive to developers. The NGOs believe the territorial governments should instead stand together, to insist on minimum requirements for any development.

One of the prime principles is that any development designed to bring American gas to American markets keeps Canadian interests at the forefront. Approval of any pipeline should be contingent on American protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a crucial calving ground for the Porcupine Caribou, an essential resource for Aboriginal peoples in northern Canada. Approval should also be contingent on commitment to meaningful global warming measures. The effects of global warming are already well documented in northern Canada.

“We appreciate that the current international atmosphere is making America look closer to home for energy supplies,” says Pete Ewins, Director of World Wildlife Fund Canada’s Arctic Program. “Unfortunately, it appears that certain American politicians are using the tragedy in their country to push their agendas on opening up the Arctic for oil and gas development. We must be careful to ensure that our sympathy for the American people at this time does not translate into making decisions on the environment that we’d regret later.”

The NGOs are concerned that our society seems ready to sacrifice the future of the largest inhabited wilderness areas left on earth in exchange for a short term supply of natural gas for our homes, and oil for our vehicles.

“Would our children forgive us if we don’t take the time now to set aside a network of protected areas to help conserve caribou and other wildlife, and the traditions that have enabled northern communities to survive for millennia?” says Alison Woodley, Northern Campaigner for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

Any development must be preceded by proper land use and conservation planning. This includes the completion of a protected areas network for both territories, to designate places where development would be off-limits.

Fair return and distribution of fees and royalties that are paid for development is another issue covered in the principles. The Northern NGOs believe that if any oil and gas development takes place, then a proportion of revenues should be set aside for economic diversification projects, wildlife conservation, and projects that would support sustainable energy for northern communities.

Underpinning all of the principles is the understanding that any development would undergo rigorous review, including meaningful intervener funding to ensure that northerners can fully participate.

“There is no need to rush the approvals process,” says John Crump. “We have an opportunity to ensure that if development takes place, then it is done right. Let us not cut corners for the sake of an artificial urgency generated by developers. If northern oil and gas is needed now, it will still be needed later.”

The principles are being forwarded to the federal government, both territorial governments, Aboriginal governments, and potential producers and developers.

“It is our hope that the politicians and developers take these ideas on board before elaborating or approving development plans,” says Pete Ewins. “We’d like them to get it right from the beginning, instead of after protracted battles. Northerners have heard enough of the hype. It’s time for governments and developers to show that they will act on these serious public concerns that are being raised.”

Groups supporting the principles are: Canadian Arctic Resources Committee; Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Yukon and Northwest Territories chapters); Ecology North; Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development; World Wildlife Fund Canada; Yukon Conservation Society.