TABLE of contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: THE OIL SANDS—AN OVERVIEW
Economic and geo-political context
The resource
Developing the oil sands—Canadian innovation at work
CHAPTER 2: CANADA—AN ENERGY SUPERPOWER?
Recent developments
Future growth
Risks to this outlook
The oil sands—a resource of strategic importance to North America
CHAPTER 3: ROLE OF GOVERNMENTS
CHAPTER 4: ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF THE OIL SANDS
Investments in the oil sands ripple throughout the Canadian economy
Impact of the oil sands on Canada’s gross domestic product
Impact of the oil sands on employment
The oil sands and government revenue
The other side of the ledger
CHAPTER 5: THE CHALLENGES
Introduction
Cost increases
Labour
Capital costs
Increase in the consumption of natural gas
The introduction of new technologies
Environmental impacts
1. Federal and Provincial Government Assessment Processes
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
3. Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage
4. Fiscal Treatment of the Oil Sands
5. Use of Water
6. Land Reclamation
Social issues
1. Impact of oil sands activities on First Nations
2. Social impact of oil sands activities
CONCLUSION
APPENDIX
LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
LIST OF WITNESSES
LIST OF BRIEFS
REQUEST FOR GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
DISSENTING OPINION OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY
COMPLEMENTARY OPINION OF THE BLOC QUÉBÉQUOIS
SUPPLEMENTARY OPINION OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY
