Ms Blakeman: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. This government is not helping our oil and gas industry by failing to take the lead on environmental protection. 

Instead, the government is jeopardizing this sector, its reputation, Alberta’s competitiveness, and the ability to maintain a strong industry into the future. We can have both a strong energy policy and a strong environmental policy. My questions are to the Minister of Environment. The energy sector is getting ramped up. Why isn’t environmental protection?

Mr. Renner: Well, Mr. Speaker, I couldn’t agree with the member more when she says that our ability to conduct business in the world of resource development is dependent upon our ability to demonstrate clearly that we have the necessary regulatory environment in place to ensure that we protect the environment and develop those resources appropriately. I couldn’t disagree with the member more when she says that Alberta Environment is not ramping up and preparing for it. That’s exactly why we’re developing the cumulative effects environmental management.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Blakeman: Thank you. Back to the same minister: given that the land-use framework banks on growing production in the oil sands and thus intensity targets will not be effective in even maintaining the current levels of carbon output, when will the minister implement hard targets?

Mr. Renner: Mr. Speaker, the issue of hard targets is very much part of the discussion that’s ongoing now nationally and internationally. To directly answer the member’s question, Alberta will adopt hard targets when the rest of North America adopts those same hard targets.

Dr. Taft: Well, that’s leadership.

Ms Blakeman: Yeah. Dawdling at the back.

Okay. To the same minister: given that the ministry has had significant cuts for the upcoming year, how does the minister expect to do more monitoring and compliance enforcement for more industrial activity with less money?

Mr. Renner: Well, Mr. Speaker, that question is just about impossible to answer in the 30 seconds that you will allow me. So I would suggest that this member come to the estimates for the Department of Environment, and I will be more than happy to go through it in great detail for her.

Alberta Hansard, February 17, 2010

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