NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay, ON) said at a Commons Natural Resources committee hearing that oil company executives should accept responsibility for the issues caused by climate change, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.“You knew,” Angus told a visiting CEO from Suncor Energy Inc.“Your industry knew increasing production and increasing the burning of fossil fuels is destabilizing the planet,” said Angus. “I have had people evacuated, people who cannot go home, we’ve had people lose their property because of this, and we have the evidence that your industry knew. I am amazed this is all new to you. It’s a question of liability.”“Would you say it has been a catastrophic year for climate-induced wildfire and flood?” asked Angus. “I think it has been a tragic year,” replied Suncor CEO Rich Kruger.“But not catastrophic?” asked Angus. “I think you are picking words,” replied Kruger. “I would say it has been a tragic year for all involved.”“Questions of liability are stuff you guys talk about,” said Angus. “How much responsibility is your industry willing to take for the destabilized climate and the climate crisis that forced 200,000 people out of their homes this summer?”“I can obviously sense your passion on this,” replied Kruger. “I think global energy and greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are complex issues that are important to our society and we all have a role in it.”“Right now, the lawsuits against your industry are in the hundreds,” said Angus. “Would you say your industry is at a higher risk of these kind of lawsuits that are proliferating for having known the damages and refusing to do something about it and refusing to tell the public they were at risk?”“I won’t talk about active lawsuits,” replied Kruger. “The importance of these issues, energy for people, for our quality of life, and doing it in such a way that’s compatible with the long-term health and well-being of our climate, that’s why we are here.”“There is a complaint at the Alberta Securities Commission that you dropped the issue of liability to investors,” said Angus. “You are referencing a Greenpeace complaint put in front of the Alberta Securities Commission that is inaccurate,” replied Kruger.On September 19, Angus stated to the Natural Resources committee that he believes oil companies should cover the expenses associated with wildfires.In the 2022 budget, the cabinet budgeted $256 million to support provincial and territorial firefighting services over five years.“Who is going to fund this?” asked Angus. “Who takes the risk when fossil fuels are burned? It is ordinary Canadians.”
NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay, ON) said at a Commons Natural Resources committee hearing that oil company executives should accept responsibility for the issues caused by climate change, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.“You knew,” Angus told a visiting CEO from Suncor Energy Inc.“Your industry knew increasing production and increasing the burning of fossil fuels is destabilizing the planet,” said Angus. “I have had people evacuated, people who cannot go home, we’ve had people lose their property because of this, and we have the evidence that your industry knew. I am amazed this is all new to you. It’s a question of liability.”“Would you say it has been a catastrophic year for climate-induced wildfire and flood?” asked Angus. “I think it has been a tragic year,” replied Suncor CEO Rich Kruger.“But not catastrophic?” asked Angus. “I think you are picking words,” replied Kruger. “I would say it has been a tragic year for all involved.”“Questions of liability are stuff you guys talk about,” said Angus. “How much responsibility is your industry willing to take for the destabilized climate and the climate crisis that forced 200,000 people out of their homes this summer?”“I can obviously sense your passion on this,” replied Kruger. “I think global energy and greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are complex issues that are important to our society and we all have a role in it.”“Right now, the lawsuits against your industry are in the hundreds,” said Angus. “Would you say your industry is at a higher risk of these kind of lawsuits that are proliferating for having known the damages and refusing to do something about it and refusing to tell the public they were at risk?”“I won’t talk about active lawsuits,” replied Kruger. “The importance of these issues, energy for people, for our quality of life, and doing it in such a way that’s compatible with the long-term health and well-being of our climate, that’s why we are here.”“There is a complaint at the Alberta Securities Commission that you dropped the issue of liability to investors,” said Angus. “You are referencing a Greenpeace complaint put in front of the Alberta Securities Commission that is inaccurate,” replied Kruger.On September 19, Angus stated to the Natural Resources committee that he believes oil companies should cover the expenses associated with wildfires.In the 2022 budget, the cabinet budgeted $256 million to support provincial and territorial firefighting services over five years.“Who is going to fund this?” asked Angus. “Who takes the risk when fossil fuels are burned? It is ordinary Canadians.”
