Ed Stelmach has finally forced the Mark Holland controversy into the mainstream. Unsurprisingly, the Canadian Press piece is framed as a dismissive rebuttal and expose’ of Alberta’s failure to curb emissions. That’s what “journalists” do when they’re dragged kicking and screaming to a story they’d prefer be buried – they get even;
EDMONTON — Premier Ed Stelmach warned Monday of “dire economic consequences” if Alberta were ever forced to slow oilsands development to curb emissions that cause global warming.
Stelmach called reporters to his office to respond to what he said were recent comments by Ontario MP Mark Holland, the Liberal natural resources critic.
Holland was asked on a radio talk show if the Liberals would nationalize the oilsands if Alberta refused to go along with federal efforts to curb developments that increase emissions.
He responded by saying that a Liberal government would try to “work with (Alberta) collaboratively,” but added “there will be consequences” if the province refused.
Stelmach described the comments as “reprehensible” and insisted the Liberals were threatening to grab control of the oilsands.
“When we hear talk of perhaps nationalizing the oilsands — a moratorium on oilsands development will bring about dire economic consequences right across the country.”
In fact, Holland had issued a news release Friday in an effort to correct what he described as attempts to distort his comments.
Mark Holland’s comments are on tape and in the public domain. For Canadian Press to weasel his statements into a case of “he said, he said” is a blatant example of journalistic misdirection. Contrast the brevity of the “quotes” selected from Rutherford interview with the space devoted to damage control;
“The Liberal party will continue to support the development and expansion of the oilsands in a reasonable and sustainable manner,” he said in the release. “Any other characterization of our position is nothing more than an attempt to fear-monger.”
In an interview from Ottawa on Monday, Holland said he couldn’t figure out why the Alberta premier and others were twisting his comments.
“Perhaps by creating fear and distorting not only what I said, but the position of our party, that they think they can extract some political gain from it,” he said.
Warren Kinsella, fearmongerer? Now, watch the tables turn as they uncover Stelmach’s ‘lie’.
Stelmach also threw out some figures Monday suggesting Alberta has taken a leading role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Alberta is the only province on record that has actually reduced CO2 emissions by 16 per cent,” he said.
But the premier later conceded he was talking about so-called emissions intensity, which is a measurement against the growth in industrial production rather than a total measurement of what’s coming out of the smoke stack. If a company increases emissions at a slower rate than it increases production, then emissions intensity is reduced even though absolute emissions have increased.
An Alberta Environment official later confirmed that total emissions have increased by 40 per cent since 1990, but emissions intensity is down by 16 per cent over the same period.
NDP Leader Brian Mason described Alberta’s record as appalling and called for a moratorium on new oilsands projects.
“There’s approximately 50 (projects) that are up and running or in some form of approval and 100 more awaiting various stages of approval,” Mason told a news conference.
The same reporters who couldn’t be bothered to phone the Alberta premier for his response to Holland trotted over to an NDP news conference to record their reaction? In Alberta?
If you thought the silence of last week was a mainstream media shielding Mark Holland from his own words, you’re wrong.
They endorse them.
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Update The Calgary Sun’s Darcy Henton was standing closer to the front.
A Quantum Liberal:
Um. Can you say “feedstock”?
Tarsands (and natural gas) are at least as important as starters in the process of creating various synthetics as they are in being burned for energy. One of the reasons that China and India are demanding so much crude oil is because of their need to build roads, made possible by a mixture of bitumen and aggregate, thus creating asphalt. And of course, their textile industries need large quantities of synthetics, made mostly from natural gas.
So go ahead and build your “batteries.” It’ll hardly make any difference.
I was just reading some of todays editorials at http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/ (great news aggregator) . I came to the conclusion that the enviromental conversion by our Prime Minister is another brilliant move. The MSM is back pedalling like crazy. They are actually questioning the validity of this Paris report on climate change. I guess PMSH is using child psychology on the Canadian Press and it’s working like a charm.
I think the Libs will win the next election big time! Of course I also believe the end of the world is soon and I see no other way that could happen:)
Hey QuantumLib: Too bad science can’t harness liberal hubris as an energy source…there’s so much of it and it is an infinite waste product.
It takes a technically illiterate Lib to ignore the role petrochemicals play in the materials their world is built upon…or the reliance on petro fuels for all the technology that builds their worls and supplies it with food/goods/tramsport…we won’t see our oil dependency vanish any time soon but we will se hybrid motor technology and fuel scrimping gren-tech in heavy equipment….and I really wish you luck with your “magic battery” (TM)I hope it provides the power and tourque to mine the minerals that make your battery, build your city, haul your goods to the supermarket, or get your crops in and harvested, or transport a family of 4 to relatives 500 miles away. Combustive fuel provides the power needed for the technology that does all our “heavy lifting”. Society’s fule needs go beyond your narrow reality of a personal tranport vehicle or home heat.
The new and coming cost and wast saving extraction/delivery technology in the oil patch and the fuel efficiency tech used in industrial and commercial transport systems will ensure that petro fueled logistics and infrastructure industry remains viable and enviromentally conscious…and a petro fuel user for at least the forseeable future.
When I hear science worshipping tinhorns like Quantum lib offer these superficial utopian solutions based on their very limited understanding of the working world and the prodution cycle, I get a laugh. It’s like listening to a file clerk giving a structural engineer advice on how to build bridges. Libs should stay cloistered in their CUPE cubicles and leave the hands-on productive work that actually changes the world to people qualified to do it.
QL’s magic battery probably hasn’t the pop to keep his vibrator going on one of his extended liberal “brain scarfing” sessions 🙂
Eeyore said: “C’mon folks…A Quantum Liberal has got a point…pretty soon now, the Starship Enterprise will arrive from the future and teach us about dilithium crystals and our reliance on oil will end. Don’t you folks watch the movies?”
ROTFLMAO 🙂
How frikkin’n true. There are more Liberals at the Treck conventions and comic book fairs than graduating engineering class 😉
Liberals should stay in the political sandbox at their CUPE cubicle complexes and leave the building and inventing to real people.
Iberia elitist answer to anyone who criticizes the gov’t is – So, leave and go elsewhere.
Iberia rejects the very essence of a democratic state, which is the right to critique, question, reject – and then work to make a gov’t do better. In Iberia’s world, aka Animal Farm, none of this is permitted. Like it – or Leave it.
As for quantum liberal, he’s a postmodernist kid, who thinks that ‘quantum’ mechanics replaces ‘classical mechanics’. No, it doesn’t, ql, the two realms actually work together. And your ignorance of science has been pointed out extremely well. Milk, equally, doesn’t come in cartons; it comes from cows.
And the MSM IS biased; most of its news editors and staff are left – Liberal and NDP. That’s a statistical, researched FACT, not an ignorant opinion. Fact.
The Calgary Herald story on Stelmach is buried on page A6. There isn’t even a blurb in the Post, save on yesterday’s editorial page. The item should be front page news! Frankly, the Liberal Party is now on record as supporting intrusion into provincial juridiction, wrapped up in the self righteous blather of “saving the environment”. Hypocrites! The power base in Ontario and Quebec(Quon)is out to subjugate the western provinces on two fronts – save the environment and keep Quebec in Canada. The whole purpose is to stop the westward movement of political and economic power and keep it in central Canada. The wrting is on the wall for westerners – we will sacrifice your livlihoods to the greater gods of centralized planning under Kyoto and national unity, because the Mom mentality says we know what is best for you. They will send you a bill after they rape your financial future and charge 17% “commission” a la Gomery. The eatern Mafia will enforce “consequences” should you even consider that you have anything to say about it. It is time for provincews outside the Montreal – Toronto – Ottwaw triangle, to throw off the yolk of central domination and dismember this dysfunctional piece of trash called Canada, more like Soviet Canuckistan. Mr Harper also plans to shaft oil & gas producing provinces across this country, to buy Quebec’s vote to the tune of 1.5 billion, so that they can wallow in their socilaist dream world. That is your money he intends to buy that vote with, he is no better than the Truedaupians who started this “Just society”. Screw-em! Vote for separation.
Liberals and especially dion and holland are perfect examples of that old saying
There are non so blind as those that will not see.
As for Stelmachs quiet response, he will have to smarten up. Ted will make his voice heard in caucus, and Eddie boy knows he needs the south to win an election. The south supported Ted, and velected an Alliance MLA in the last election, and will again. Alberta has been the kicking boy of Ottawa for years. We would not cowtow to them and for 35 years had a SC govt and sent SCs to Ottawa and did our own thing. We have now had 35 years of Conservative govt, and when we feel they are not paying attention we will kick them out, to be replaced by something else. It will never be liberal or ndp so that leaves the Alliance, or an Alberta first party. We are a stubborn people out here, and will not be dictated to by the likes of holland or dion.
please do not feed the troll lberia. no I(aye) , its a a small L. its lberia and he names himself after a stalin henchman.
Holland recently challenged Dave Rutherford (770 CHQR) in an interview to name one credible climatologist that does not believe in global warming. How about this guy:
Timothy Ball, Ph.D in his own words [2007.02.05]:
“Global Warming, as we think we know it, doesn’t exist. And I am not the only one trying to make people open up their eyes and see the truth. But few listen, despite the fact that I was the first Canadian Ph.D. in Climatology and I have an extensive background in climatology, especially the reconstruction of past climates and the impact of climate change on human history and the human condition. Few listen, even though I have a Ph.D, (Doctor of Science) from the University of London, England and was a climatology professor at the University of Winnipeg. For some reason (actually for many), the World is not listening. Here is why.”
Read the rest here:
http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/global-warming020507.htm
ET writes:
“Iberia rejects the very essence of a democratic state, which is the right to critique, question, reject – and then work to make a gov’t do better.”
Not at all. I just have a problem with people who, when the don’t like the outcome of democratic decisions, threaten separation.
which democratic decision would that be?
to have some Ontario liberal hack come out and threaten Alberta. which part of the elected process was that?
you must just reel from the pronouncements of psuedoliberal Charest and the requests of the Parti Quebecsquawk.
Right Iberia. Alberta should just respect the democratic process; like a clear question on a separation referendum, for instance?
Iberia and their ilk share two things in common; they expect us to accept their superficial arguments, and they don’t think past the conclusion they were already searching for.
Quite pathetic, really. Maybe Iberia should get the hell out.
I have just had a hoot at how poor old Quantum got bitch-slapped by a few guys in the know. Haven’t you learned yet Quantum that you better be backed up with solid facts if you think you can take on the blogosphere? You go guys I am having a good laugh ,nothing like intelligence to take care of stupidity.
“which democratic decision would that be?”
The one in the poll booth comes to mind. Why is it that right wingers always go on about “freedom and democracy”, but when they are in the minority and are not getting their way they sulk and complain: “it’s a conspiracy; everyone else is an idiot, etc.” Time to be consistant.
I thought that Holland’s remarks were fairly innocuous. It’s only the unelected right wingers who seem to be suffering some sort of collective paranoia. If the comments were so out of line, why aren’t the Conservatives making a big deal of it?
And Quebec whining does not impress me. But like climate change these days, or gay marriage two years ago, Quebec seperatism is a useful distraction for the government to use on the public. It’a the “Look at Chewbacca” strategy.
Iberia has no choice but to refuse to acknowledge the possibility of Dion breaking up the country. Otherwise, he would see the disastrous comments by Holland for what they are – a power and money grab by usurping provincial juristiction.
Iberia, people can vote the way they want in an election, that is their right. It is also their right to vote in a separation referendum. They are part of the same ideal, whether you like it or not, or even consider it a possibility. It is a possibility. Many Albertans have had it with this Que/Ont bias, where they support standards of living (govt programs such as Universal Day Care) in other parts of the country. This is not the 70s anymore. To pretend there won’t be consequences is really dumb, naive and dangerous.
On the other hand it is an academic question because the Canadian electorate, whatever province they live in, will not as a group elect Dion. Why? Because he is an utter incompetent who call facts “spin.”
Bring on the election; it can’t happen soon enough for me.
Take a deep breath and relax, Shamrock. Holland gave nothing more than his opinion. Moreover, nothing was said about nationalization, or anything more concrete than he feels that expanding oilsands production will conflict with pollution control commitments.
(From the interview)
H: Well that would mean, in my opinion, we need to stabilize the oil sands, we need, we don’t need to be multiplying them times five.
A: You mean taking less stuff out of the sands is what you’re saying?
H: Exactly, using it responsibly, over a protracted period of time, making sure that we can actually meet our international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ooooh, scarey. Quick, we gotta separate. Jeesh.
Iberia is and forever will be an idiot. The village idiot.
Iberia’s favorite food and beverage? Why, popcorn and beer, of course.
Iberia wants to be the country where Smaul Fartin’ registers the families ships, the Lie-beral ships.
Thanks for the laugh, Bruce. I’ve heard better insults from a six year old. Perhaps you could explain why you disagree with me the next time you feel like an adult.
Six year olds insult you to? Not suprising.
That’s it. Wait till your father gets home…
Iberia, enough of your sins of omission. You are ignoring the Rutherford interview. Get with it!
ET said:
“And the MSM IS biased; most of its news editors and staff are left – Liberal and NDP”
I agree. It is no longer that the MSM gives the appearance of supporting the Liberals. They have now become the mouthpiece of the Liberal and their leftist allies. The term “fair and balanced” no longer applies to them. The worst offender is of course the CBC, who are doing this courtesy of our taxpayer dollars. The Toronto (Red) Star are not far behind.
The thing that bothers me the most is not just their criticism of the Conservative government, as some of it is deserved, but their willingness to overlook the faults of the Liberals at every opportunity. The Liberal party according to them can never do anything wrong. Wherever the Liberal party fails or breaks a promise, they always gloss over it or find some way to pin it on the Conservatives. It is this hypocrisy that I find the most revolting.