Liberals cozy up to Big Oil

NDP Critic for Natural Resources (Jobs and Just Transition), Charlie Angus, made the following statement:

“While Canadians choke on the smoke from wildfires and keep their children indoors to avoid the horrible air quality, Prime Minister Trudeau sent two top ministers to schmooze with the directors of oil giant Shell.

Of course, Canadians have questions about this government’s priorities when they see that this is where the Liberals are spending their time. Just yesterday, media reported that federal lobbying hit a record high last fiscal year. Big Oil has the inside track with this government.

Instead of taking action to support families and communities coping with the horrible impacts of climate change, the ministers are busy reassuring their Big Oil friends that all is well. This is the same company who, back in 1988, knew that their production of fossil fuels was damaging the environment but they suppressed the evidence.

Like Shell, this government has missed every single climate promise they have made. Billions of dollars that were promised to fight the climate crisis have gone unspent by the Liberals. Clearly, the Liberals are not acting with the urgency required to tackle the climate emergency.

Maybe the minister should spend less time in meetings with Big Oil and more time working to deliver results for Canadians.

New Democrats know who we work for—we’re fighting for you and your family. And Canadians can trust that we wouldn’t be caught dead hanging out with Big Oil while parts of our country burns.”