2009:03EI CESSATION OF IRRESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION OF OIL FROM TAR SANDS IN CANADA
Whereas 1 producing a barrel of oil from tar sands leads to at least three times the greenhouse gas emissions of producing a barrel of conventional oil; and
Whereas 2 tar sands oil production is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas pollution in Canada; and
Whereas 3 tar sands oil production causes widespread landscape destruction; and
Whereas 4 tar sands oil production leads to massive, toxic tailings lakes which leak and are likely to contaminate groundwater; and
Whereas 5 since each barrel of tar sands oil produced by strip mining requires an average of three barrels of water, great stress is being placed on aquatic resources and water resources in the Athabasca Valley, posing risks to the McKenzie River basin; and
Whereas 6 aboriginal communities in the tar sands region are experiencing the destruction of traditional hunting and fishing areas; therefore be it
Resolved 1 that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy the cessation of irresponsible production of oil from tar sands in Canada; and be it further
Resolved 2 that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to cease supporting the irresponsible production of oil from tar sands in Canada by:
a. placing a moratorium on new tar sands projects until the environmental concerns are resolved
b. stopping federal incentives to develop the tar sands
c. increasing the monitoring and reporting of the environmental and social impacts of producing oil from tar sands.