4 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Opinion OP-ED: Is Canada really committed to coal phase out? Is Canada really committed to coal phase out? Canada needs “clean hands” yet it expects others to act! Just what is Canada’s position on coal? Last week Environment and Climate Change Minister, Catherine McKenna was in London announcing an alliance with the United Kingdom that “will champion a global alliance on the transition from unabated coal-fired electricity at next month’s United Nations climate change meetings in Bonn, Germany. From cleaner air to public health, to sustainability, the benefits of moving towards low or nonemitting sources of power are clear.” While she was there
the New York Times reported the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is trying to buy the coal assets of Rio Tinto – a deal estimated to be worth $2 billion. The money for this deal was collected by the Canadian government from the pay cheques of Canadians and their employers. So what is Canada’s policy on coal? A phaseout or an investment opportunity? Is the federal government committed to ridding the world of coal or just trying to drive down the value of coal assets so the CPPIB and scope them up cheap? Ms. McKenna is correct. Phasing out coalfired electricity around the world will have a
tremendously positive impact on climate, air pollution, and public health. And, the technology is now available and economically viable. Canada, however, derives only 10 percent of Canada’s electricity of generated by burning coal. Ontario has already shut down its coal plants and most the other provinces have made commitments to do the same. So even though we are leaders in getting rid of coal. It has never been the huge challenge that many developed and developing countries face. Leading a global alliance requires Canada to demonstrate a real commitment. How can Canada be taken seriously if Canadian tax pay-
ers’ pension payments are being used to make new investments in coal? At the very least can’t our credibility be called into question. The Rio Tinto deal isn’t unique the CPPIB has holding in at least 35 other coal companies including Duke Energy which was fined $100 million recently for polluting rivers in the United States with coal ash. Isn’t this analogist to the old ‘Clean Hands” debate in the 1980s. How could we ask Ronald Reagon to clean up acid rain if Canada wasn’t willing to clean up its own act? Only after Ontario slapped regulations on INCO did the US act. We had clean hands.
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board was set up to earn returns for Canadian pensioners at arm’s length to the government. In 1999 it was freed to go global and seek opportunities around the world. Going global may have allowed the CPPIB gain better returns, but whether intentionally or not, it also made it part of Canada’s foreign policy. Its actions have a bearing on the success Canada’s diplomatic objectives. It’s dirty coal holdings and ambitions are seen as Canada’s. In areas other than climate change and health. The CPPIB has recognized this by publicly stating it will not invest in landmines and will
respect human rights. Canadian foreign policy objectives. So why when it comes to climate change Canada’s signature on the Paris Agreement and its championing of a global coal phase-out of coal is the CPPIB trying to buy more coal assets? How will Ms. McKenna explain the actions of the Canada Pension Plan at climate talks in Bonn next month? Where she will “champion” a coal phase-out. More importantly, how can she expect others to act when we don’t have clean hands? John Bennett
Take me out to the ball game It was past midnight Sunday night when I got to be bed. My son and I were watching game five of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was another seesaw affair, and with each bat I felt uneasiness, mixed with anticipation. After awhile I’m sure I sounded like a broken record saying, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” That is one of the famous quotes of the late Yogi Berra, famous backstop for the New York Yankees. He was a catcher with the pin strips for his entire career which spanned 19 years. His strategies for playing and his raw talent are still widely admired. In 1972 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I also admired Willie Mays, nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid” as well as Jackie Robinson who became the first black man to play in the major leagues. He joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and was named Rookie of the Year that year, National League MVP in 1949 and World Series champ in 1955. I was so excited to see Robinson’s wife Rachel, along with two of their three
children during the opening ceremonies of game one of the 2017 World Series on Tuesday, October 24. It was also interesting to learn that the World Series MVP Award will be named after Willie Mays, starting with the 2017 classic. Long before the Montreal Expos or the Toronto Blue Jays joined Major League Baseball, I would watch ball games on the television with my mom and dad. I developed a deep interest in the game, and contemplated what life would be like as a baseball broadcaster. It was appealing to think you could get paid to be a commentator, calling the games, interviewing players and coaches, while travelling to many of the big cities in the United States. While I ultimately chose journalism over broadcasting, I love to listen to and learn from the announcers. Even last night’s 13-12 slugfest left them speechless. Now I can hardly wait for game six and the familiar words, “Play Ball!” Michelle Pinon
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