DAY OF ACTION: Demand a Canadian Energy Strategy on February 2, 2008

Canadians experience long, cold winter months. As the snow starts to fly, our thoughts turn to staying warm. To do that, we need energy to heat our homes. But right now, Canada does not have a national energy strategy that addresses where our energy comes from, where it is going, or the high price of environmental devastation that can come with producing it.

That is why the Council of Canadians is organizing Take Charge! A National Day of Action to Demand a Canadian Energy Strategy on Saturday, February 2, 2008.

• View mitten gallery

Energy fact sheets: - Download PDF package - Five reasons why Canada needs a National Energy Strategy now Energy issues across Canada Where does Canada’s oil come from? Oil companies sue Canada Handbill and mitten action: Handbill: Take Charge! A National Day of Action in support of a Canadian Energy Strategy ACTION: Send a mitten to Stephen Harper Take a picture with your mitten and e-mail it to us at mitten@canadians.org, so we can show how people across the country are taking a stand and demanding government action. Click here to see the photos we’ve already received. Chapter toolkit: - Download PDF package - Organizing an event Media tips Talking points

Our country is rich with energy resources, but Canadians do not have control over them. Governments have signed this control away through free trade agreements with the United States. This was proven recently by a lawsuit launched by American oil corporations Exxon-Mobil and Murphy Oil. The companies are suing the Canadian government for USD $60 million contesting the requirement for them to spend a fraction of their soaring profits from the Atlantic region on research and job development there.

The Harper government’s commitment to the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) means even less control over our energy resources. The SPP moves Canada closer to a continental resource pact that means secure energy resources for the U.S., while the future energy needs of Canadians are left unaddressed.

As a result of these agreements, huge transnational corporations are now stripping Canada of its energy resources while at the same time draining and contaminating our water, poisoning our land and air, and accelerating climate change.

Canadians face related threats across the country including:

• privatized hydro projects and coal-bed methane explorations in British Columbia;
• the environmentally dangerous tar sands and massive transmission line projects in Alberta;
• destructive uranium mining projects in Saskatchewan and Ontario;
• expanding liquefied natural gas projects in the Maritimes; and
• a strong push for more nuclear power plants right across the country.

Without a Canadian Energy Strategy -- a strategy that will give Canadians security of their energy supplies, guaranteed access to energy reserves in times of need, and strong policies that protect our environment and focus on finding alternative, less harmful energy solutions -- our country will continue to be a victim of an energy gold rush. Politicians cannot let corporations and the market set the agenda, focusing on big business needs, and privatizing public services, while ignoring the energy security needs of Canadians.

On Saturday February 2, 2008, when communities across Canada face some of the coldest temperatures of the year, you can stand up for Canadian energy strategy by participating inTake Charge! A National Day of Action to Demand a Canadian Energy Strategy.

Get involved by:

• meeting with your Member of Parliament,
• handing out leaflets,
• holding a forum calling for a Canadian energy strategy,
• having discussion groups focusing on alternative sources of energy,
• or finding another creative way to call for a National Energy Strategy for our country.

Sign up below to receive energy updates through our email list and we will send details and updates leading up to the day of action.

Join us on Saturday February 2 and tell the Harper government that Canada needs a Canadian Energy Strategy now.

Maude Barlow telling the importance of a National Energy Day of Action:
 

Council of Canadians on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, ON to call on the Federal government to develop a Canadian Energy Strategy.
 

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updated May 12, 2008