More about oilsands profits

Re: Oilsands companies’ ‘false’ net zero ads spur complaint to Competition Bureau, March 16

Wow, what great news was reported. The six largest oilsands producers are “making clear strides toward net zero” (their words ) in emissions.

However, naysayer Catharine McKenna, former federal environment minister and current head of the United Nations Net-Zero Experts group, disagrees. She has the nerve to report their emissions are increasing and they are spending a fraction of profits on clean air solutions.

The oil companies’ advertiser, Pathways Alliance, fails to note the oil products their bosses produce are burned by consumers (gas, oil, etc.) creating 80 per cent of emissions. I guess their claim is “It’s not us.”

This approach differs from those of the 1990s when front groups like Information Council for the Environment and Informed Citizens for the Environment argued climate change was “just a theory.” They pointed out there was a time when people believed the Earth was flat and asked if this warming theory came from Chicken Little of “the sky is falling” fame.

The actual truth is fossil fuels are burned and this contributes hugely to climate change, causing melting ice caps, changes to ocean currents and severe changes in weather patterns.

In closing, please note that, in 2022, the six members of Pathways Alliance made a record $35 billion in profits and spent $500 million on their net zero plan. It was not reported what they spent on their latest advertising campaign.

Rob Hay

Niagara Falls