Conservation in the Oil Sands

Alberta's new energy minister shows a green side- Globe and mail thursday october 13

Ted Morton is Alberta's new energy minister. Having been in politics for a long time he has seen many changes in Alberta's conservation efforts. Now the man who led the campaign against the Kyoto Protocol is taking a step forward to push Alberta's conservation in a positive direction.

 Morton is trying to increase the standards of the oil stand operation, forcing them to design new ways to pollute less water and air as well as not harm the local caribou. In fact Morton was one of the architects who have planned land-use in Alberta to set aside certain undeveloped areas of oil sands to be protected.

 

How every good these changes may be it is very clear that they do not come from a change of heart. Morton's jump to conservation is simply to allow for further development of the oil sand while keeping Ottawa happy and out of the picture. And he does not hide it. Morton speaks his mind and is not afraid face those who oppose him; which is a refreshing thing to see in politics.

 Unable to be deterred by opposition, Morton is also unable to be swayed by corporations. Morton simply does what he thinks is best for his province. And fortunately at this time it's to protect their ecology and resources. For now this conservative says it is time to put "conservation back into the meaning of conservative".