MLI’s Brian Crowley debates why Canada’s oil sands should fuel China in The Globe and Mail

June 14, 2011 – In today’s Globe and Mail, MLI Managing Director Brian Lee Crowley participates in the first of two mini debates The Globe is hosting in advance of Friday’s Munk Debates on China’s role in the 21st century. Crowley takes the pro argument on the topic, “Should Canada’s oil sands fuel China?” He debates with Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair in global politics and international law at the University of British Columbia, who takes the con argument on the topic.

The debate takes the form of an op-ed by both Crowley and Byers. In addition, the written arguments are accompanied by a five-minute online debate that is available for viewing on The Globe’s website.

An excerpt from Crowley’s argument:

Refusing to supply Canada’s oil to China will do nothing to improve the world’s environment. According to the International Energy Agency, the world’s dependence on oil will inexorably rise for decades to come. Oil not obtained from Canada will be obtained elsewhere, usually from countries with lower environmental standards. While everyone recognizes the oil sands must improve their environmental record, the way to do that is through new capital investment incorporating cleaner technologies. And for that you need customers.

To read Brian Crowley’s pro argument, “Canada should take advantage of China’s rise by fuelling it”, click here.

To read Michael Byers’ con argument, “Exporting bitumen to China would be environmentally and fiscally detrimental”, click here.

To watch the debate online, click here.

Note: The Munk Debates are semi-annual events that feature prominent figures in their fields. The next debate, to be held June 17, asks whether the 21st century will belong to China. It features former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger alongside economist David Daokui Li, CNN host Fareed Zakaria and historian Niall Ferguson.

Related posts:

  1. Brian Lee Crowley contributes his Big Idea to the Globe and Mail During the campaign, and until the election on May 2, the Globe and Mail is examining issues the federal...
  2. The Globe and Mail: Ottawa can plant the seed for Canada to feed the world In the November 1, 2011 issue of The Globe and Mail, columnist Neil Reynolds writes about MLI’s...
  3. The Globe and Mail: How ‘charter cities’ could lift the global economy April 26, 2012 – In today’s Globe and Mail, Reporter Jeremy Torobin writes about the...
  4. The Hill Times: Sell to China, but never change who we are to do so February 20, 2012 – In today’s Hill Times column, MLI’s Brian Lee Crowley discusses trade...
  5. The Globe and Mail: Urban prosperity in the RED April 25, 2012 – The Macdonald-Laurier Institute is proud to announce the publication of a...

Please note that the link above was live when posted. Older links may no longer be functional.