Canada: 2c. Pre-Bilateral- Case Study

Environment   Sep 25, 2017 by Julia Chung

Case: Alberta Tar Sands, Alberta, Canada

Who benefits from this resource extraction? Who is disadvantaged? 

(Note: The case study questions are divided out between Canadian participants- it'll be great to read other blogs by Canadian students and compare/contrast with mine.)

The potential population to be affected by the Albertan Tar Sands are estimated to be around 150,000. 

Many companies and state enterprises are participating in the development of the Tar Sands region. My inference is that these companies would be the ones benefiting from this resource extraction. Especially because traditional petroleum supplies dwindled and prices soared over a past few years, companies are looking at the tar sands region as an alternative. The vast tar sands are a secure choice for many of these companies. 

The disadvantaged are the Indigenous population residing downstream, who are experiencing increased respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, renal failure, lupus, diabetes and rare cancers. It is suspected that these illnesses is caused by the release of toxins, such as mercury, arsenic, poly-cyclic aromatic compounds, and heavy metals. Sickness of the Indigenous groups have links to socio-economic impacts such as loss of traditional knowledge, culture, and legacies. Few mobilizing movements led by the Indigenous are also witnessed in the Alberta Tar Sands region. 

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