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The federal election of 1988 was so important that both sides agreed the very future of the country was at stake. The federal election of 2015 could be of similar nature. Then, the issue was trade. This time it could be resources.
The government and the opposition are dividing, with increasing bitterness, over whether and how Canada should exploit its resource wealth – especially petroleum. The question encompasses jobs, the environment, international relations, and regional growth and decline.
“The real issue is the vision of the future economically and environmentally,” NDP natural resources critic Peter Julian said in an interview. “These are the kinds of issues that will be front and centre in the next campaign.”
Twenty-five years ago last Thursday, as many have noted, Canada and the United States signed a free-trade agreement. But the country was bitterly divided over that issue, as well, ultimately forcing Brian Mulroney’s Progressive Conservative government to call – and win – an election.
Today, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives are determined to maximize Canada’s petroleum wealth by developing the Alberta oil sands to their maximum potential.
That means building pipelines: south to connect with American refineries; west to connect with British Columbia ports; possibly east, by reconfiguring existing pipelines.
It also means encouraging foreign investment in oil and other natural resources. Although the Harper government has yet to announce whether it will approve the sale of Nexen, a Canadian-owned oil company, to CNOOC, a Chinese state-owned energy firm, the smart money is on the Tories ultimately saying yes.
After all, Canada needs foreign capital – that China has – to develop the oil sands and other large resource assets. Without resource development, the Conservatives argue, Canadian exports will decline, resource revenues will dry up, the economy will falter, jobs will be lost and there will be less money for schools, hospitals and other government services.
For the rest of this article, please go to the Globe and Mail website: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/resources-the-flashpoint-of-2015s-election/article4595910/