SCHOLAR: NATURAL RESOURCES AND CANADA

SUBJECT:  ENVIORNMENT AND CANADA’S NATURAL RESOURCES

PURPOSE:  This briefing note composed to provide information on the current affairs of Canada when in relation to natural resources.

ISSUE:  Canada needs to do more to maintain environmental sustainability. 

BACKGROUND:

            Canada is a country that keeps their environment clean.  It attempts to meet environmental objectives specified in the Paris Agreement.  Canada has been a signatory since December 12, 2015 (Government of Canada).  Canada's annual average temperature over land has warmed by 1.7 C since 1948 (Government of Canada).  With this said, Canada is a country that is rich in natural resources and this requires carbon emissions.  Canada thrives in the production of lumber which is a main staple in their economy.  The world’s largest producer of newsprint and northern bleached softwood kraft pulp is Canada.  Also, it is the second-largest producer of softwood lumber (EDC).  Moreover, Canada has been abundant in natural minerals and metals.  In this country, mining production includes mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (Trading Economics).  Specifically, Canada has a productive industry for nickel, gemstones, cobalt, aluminum and platinum group metals amongst others.  Mineral production totaled approximately $44 billion in 2017 in Canada.  They produce over 60 minerals and metals at 200 mines and 7,000 pits and quarries.  Minerals alone accounts for 19% of Canada’s total domestic exports and is 5% of nominal Gross Domestic Product (Government of Canada).  Canada is also rich in oil and they are a carbon based economy.  Alberta is one of the main resources for oil and there has been instability with the federal government as pipelines have caused several debates.    

CONSIDERATIONS:

            In 1994, the stakeholders; the federal, provincial and territorial governments, industry, indigenous, environmental organizations, and labor signed the Whitehorse Mining Initiative.  This initiative looks to solidify Canada’s position as one of the world’s premier mining leaders (Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan). It creates a solid plan for the future of mining in Canada. 

Resource ownership and management is the jurisdiction of provinces and territories.  Minerals, metals and other natural resources are maintained and overseen by the government of the province or territory in which they are found. Mining is regulated by the provinces or territories and each jurisdiction will have its own legislation.  Thus, mining, environmental, and occupational health and safety are different in each jurisdiction. The federal, and provincial governments have shared responsibilities in taxation and the environment.  Lands in offshore waters and on the continental shelf are owned by the federal government as well as uranium mining.  Resources that are located in aboriginal land are governed by treaties which have signatories on specific rights and jurisdiction related to the resources therein.  The mineral sector is a large employer with approximately 634,000 jobs throughout the country.  They employ 16,500 indigenous people.  Around 7,600 of these are in the upstream mining sub-sector.  This is therefore the second highest proportional employer of indigenous peoples among private sector.  (Government of Canada).  When discussing sustainable alternatives to oil or gas, there are currently hydro, solar and wind initiatives which aim to strike a balance in Canada’s carbon economy.  The use of such alternatives along with oil and gas-based energy production can ease the transition from non-renewable forms of energy to renewable sources, making Canada more sustainable.  Not only can it make transition easier, but it can also compliment what is currently available. 

CONCLUSION

            As explained, it becomes evident that mineral extraction and mining play a significant role in Canada.  The carbon economy of Canada has been a strong income generator for many living near mining communities.  The indigenous people have significantly benefitted, and a booming industry allows them to be settle their treaty claims with the federal government as resources are being exploited to support their growing communities.  As for the Paris Agreement, Canada will continue to pursue those objectives being mindful of clean energy alternatives while at the same time being considerate of provinces such as Alberta and their oil economy, which should quell pipeline disagreements.  Canada should therefore recognize that it is those provinces that are wealthy in oil, that have previously supported those, “have not,” provinces.  Thus, it must be attentive to maintain a balance for a sustainable future.