Alberta group makes case for oil sands

A delegation of business leaders is attempting to dispel falsehoods and make the case for the oil sands to politicians in Ottawa

A group of high-powered Alberta business leaders is in Ottawa this week on what they are calling a "a trade mission to the capital of our own country." 

Their goal: promote the oil sands as what John Ferguson, chairman of Suncor Energy Inc., calls a "great Canadian treasure." Alberta's bitumen is, they say, not a festering sore on Canada's environmental record, but instead a wellspring of great wealth and cutting-edge innovation that is helping to green Fort McMurray's "dirty oil." 

In meetings with senators, cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister, 50 Albertans are attempting to head off the global criticism that has descended upon their province in an attempt to establish trust with those policy makers who will one day write the greenhouse gas, tax and other rules that could potentially harm the oil sands. 

They are arguing that the oil sands, contrary to popular belief, have a strong record on the environment, are critically important to the economic well-being of the country as a whole and don't deserve to face the brunt of greenhouse gas reduction policies.