OTTAWA — New Democrats are demanding the Conservative government to immediately start a comprehensive review of regulation of unconventional oil and gas production in Canada they promised in the spring.

On June 2, Conservatives and opposition MPs unanimously voted for a motion by New Democrat Environment Critic Linda Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) to immediately conduct an open public review of relevant federal laws, regulations and policies regarding the development of all unconventional sources of oil and gas. Since then the Conservatives have turned their backs on that promise.

“The government repeatedly assured Members of Parliament and Canadians that the review was being undertaken by the National Energy Board,” said Duncan. “Yet the NEB says their review will not look beyond the Arctic, leaving out all other unconventional oil and gas regulations.”

Duncan points out that right now a 2600 metre experimental, deep well is being drilled off of Newfoundland, leases have been issued for the Arctic offshore, oil sands project approvals are being expedited and shale gas developments are under consideration. “This review is needed urgently,” concludes Duncan.

At least three bodies are legally mandated to conduct this review - a public inquiry (used for the Ocean Ranger disaster); the National Energy Board, under its broader inquiry mandate; and the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act Oil and Gas Committee, a body established by cabinet and empowered to undertake broad inquiries. Any one of these bodies could fulfill the mandate of House motion.

The review would also help the Canadian industry as it comes under pressure from a global movement to label Canadian oil and gas as dirty. In June 2008 the U.S. Conference of Mayors, meeting in Miami approved a resolution calling on its members to ban the use of energy from unconventional sources because of its impact on the environment.

“The oil industry and its friends in this government are quick to say environmental protection will cost jobs, but not protecting the environment will cost even more jobs,” said Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic). “We took steps in the Northwest Territories to ensure our diamonds are free from the stigma of blood-diamonds. Unless the Conservatives take action to ensure we have the tightest environmental regulations on the oil and gas industry we will not have an industry because no one will want our dirty oil.”