Beer versus oil, what's better for Canada's economy?

Welcome to our November update.

This month, we're taking our message to Chambers of Commerce across BC, preparing for National Energy Board hearings, celebrating the beer economy and telling the story of one Langley landowner.

BRING THE FACTS TO YOUR CHAMBER

Local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade have a lot of influence on the outcomes of political decisions. And that's why they need to have straightforward, balanced information about the economic costs and benefits of new oil pipelines.

But right now, the opposite is happening. Over the past month, Ian Anderson and others from Kinder Morgan have been visiting chambers across BC, promising a "tax bonanza" if the pipeline is approved. This is not a surprise - Kinder Morgan's job is to sell their project and this is exactly what they're doing.

We believe, however, that it's in the interests of the business community to have balanced information. People deserve the facts.

CRED has developed a presentation highlighting the pipeline's full costs, benefits and risks. We want to share it with as many business audiences as possible. 

If you are a member of your local Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade and want them to have balanced and fact-based information about the pipeline's true economics, please get in touch with CRED or contact your Chamber directly. They care about local businesses and will listen to your request.

We hear often that the oil sands are crucial to Canada's economy. They do play a significant role, but not as big as you might think. In fact, the oil sands are responsible for only 2% of Canada's GDP, less than 1% of its workforce and only 4.2% of taxes paid to the federal government.

On the other hand, we don't hear nearly enough about the importance of the beer economy. As it turns out, there are more Canadians employed in the beer industry than the oil sands, and the sector pays a significant amount of taxes too -       $5.8 billion a year according to the Conference Board of Canada, or enough to foot Canada's entire foreign aid bill and 90% of total federal assistance to farmers. 

In total, 44 cents of every dollar spent on beer goes back to the government. So next time you crack open a cold bottle, know that you're helping to build schools, hospitals and roads. You hero. 

Participating in the NEB process is not as difficult or intimidating as you might think.

That's the message Burnaby-Douglas MP Kennedy Stewart wants to promote with his new website, Let BC Decide. On the site, BC residents can learn about the National Energy Board process, attend information sessions and sign up to get notified when it's time to submit a letter of comment or apply to take part.

VISIT THE WEBSITE

Earlier this month, CRED Director Liz McDowell participated in a town hall meeting hosted by a group of Langley landowners who had recently discovered that Trans Mountain's proposed new route ran right across their properties.

Liz's presentation focused on the proposal's economic costs and benefits, including risks to sectors like tourism and real estate, and concluded that while most of the risks would be held by British Columbians, the majority of benefits would go to oil producers, Alberta and overseas refineries.

The meeting was organized by local resident, small business owner and second generation farmer Byron Smith, along with other landowners in the area. When interviewed by the Langley Times, Byron commented that he organized the event because
"The people at each end of the pipeline are making money, but in between [there are few benefits for B.C. “I really feel it is not a good business plan.”

BC agrees that Alberta royalties are off the table - Premiers Clark and Redford reach a deal on pipelines that doesn't involve Alberta sharing its revenue

Metro Vancouver leaders call for better oil spill preparation - ahead of a Metro Vancouver meeting, members call for improved spill response capacity before supporting any new pipelines

Exxon to demolish third house in Mayflower subdivision - As a result of the Mayflower, Arkansas spill, some residents have lost their homes 

Gulf ecosystem in crisis after BP spill - Gulf of Mexico seafood industry still struggling 3 years later

Interactive map of pipline incidents - The CBC recorded all oil spills reported to the NEB over the past 12 years and translated them into an interactive tool

Global investors urge firms to reveal their climate risks - 45 investors call on companies to divulge how vulnerable their profits are to international measures to tackle climate change, such as carbon taxes and cap and trade systems