Tar Sands

The Sierra Youth Coalition works side by side with Albertan communities and regional organizations in the spirit of anti-oppression. As outsiders intent on contributing to the grave issue of Albertan tar sands, we recognize that we are in fact joining an existing and powerful local movement. As such, our stance echoes what is already being demanded by impacted communities:

• That we legislate that no new approvals be given to tar sands development until regional plans are democratically created by the communities involved in order them to have a say in the nature of their economic growth and how the ecological and socio-economic impacts will be dealt with.
• That Aboriginal communities be respected and their treaty rights be honoured and upheld.
• That Canada reasses its national energy policy, calling into question its energy-exporting obligations under the North-American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
• That environmental justice, the right to a healthy and productive environment, be enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.