Voting For Real Change – and the Enviro!

Resisting the temptation to post – yet again – about financial shenanigans, let us comment briefly on the Environmental importance of the upcoming Canadian election.

Truly, the level of voter apathy may turn out to be stunning this year. Prime Minister Stephen Harper (and correct me if I’m wrong) has called a mid-term election in an attempt to win an overwhelming government election. This would be disastrous, and here’s why:

ONE: The Oil Industry is in his backyard – and is the heart of his voter group. He may quite literally be the driver of both the oil boom (new-boom circa 2004), as well as the housing overconfidence in Alberta – which by the way will make a sweet crack once it all comes tumbling down on exaggerated values. Here’s the problem – all the environmental damage that is being done now at an increasing rate because of our oil sands extraction (see: tailings up the wazoo) will be in vain as the industry is in the process of crumbling. I have read, and sorry, I am my own source, that our oil sands are only producing profitably at over $101/barrel oil. Watchout: we are approaching $50-60 oil according to some technical analysts. And, even if we don’t reach $50/barrel oil, the oil-sands projects could spend many a year trying to work towards profitability.

**On that note, when buying Canadian mutual equity you’re basically buying into oil/energy. Pffft! And my “advisor” keeps pushing me to buy-and-hold…can you say generational divergence? Mutual funds are out for me. Screw you all, bankers!!

TWO: To assist the struggling forest industry, Canada’s other economic heart, we need leadership that will, 1) recognize the ecological importance of protecting old-growth and original forest, and 2) assist the sector in both marketing and innovation for the use of second-growth timber. Forestry is a top employer in Canada and there’s no way the industry can be forcibly scaled down (free-markets take care of that) – our jobs need to be protected, and at the same time innovation and protection needs to keep jobs in Canada. For example; our top problem is the export (to U.S. and beyond) of raw logs. That leaves too many processes and jobs out of Canadian hands. In an upcoming recession – jobs need to be forcibly kept on Canuck soil.

In summary: Harper will continue to convince us that the Oil industry is Canada’s heart, but the truth is it must be scaled down before more irreversible damage is done. Stop damaging investing that will destroy our land and pocketbooks.

…and: if we don’t vote change into the Canadian federal system (VOTE GREEN!) – not enough is going to change. Liberal and Conservative agendas may speak for change, and show enough difference to convince us of a multi-party system…but what has the last 10 years given us besides the same thing, over and over again??

The same goes to American votes – vote real change!!!