Natural Resources Canada minister briefing notes – oil sands development

This briefing note, prepared for the Minister of Natural Resources, helps explain why letters from NRCan often accompany letters from Canadian politicians lobbying against good climate policy, like California’s LCFS.

The note discusses the image of Canada’s “dirty” tar sands oil and references Section 526 of the US Energy Independence and Security Act and California’s LCFS as examples.

The note refers to how “NRCan is developing a work program for an oil sands engagement strategy,” and brags about how “officials from the oil sands industry and the province of Alberta are aware and pleased that this process in underway at NRCan.” It goes on to state that NRCan will continue to further coordinate with industry.

The note concludes by advising the Minister to “engage early with key stakeholders, such as the Alberta government and US decision-makers, on issues that will impact oil sands development.”

The publication of this document is unknown, although it is likely 2008.