Finding Middle Ground in the Oil Sands Debate

The Agenda with Steve Paikin

View Transcript
For decades, the Alberta oil sands seemed like an unstoppable juggernaut of growth and money. Then the 2008 recession hit, and the tides turned. An increasing focus on the environmental effects of the area took shape, and an intractable debate over its existence crystallized. Through the eyes of oil sands shift workers, scientists, activists, and Indigenous peoples, Chris Turner chronicles the story of the oil sands in his book, "The Patch: The People, Pipelines, and Politics of the Oil Sands." He joins The Agenda to discuss his plea for nuance in a fiery debate, and to discuss the question: what next for Alberta's oil sands?
Episode:
The Oil Sands' History; From Politics to Climate Leadership
Aired:
Sep 27, 2017
Thinking of your experience with tvo.org, how likely are you to recommend tvo.org to a friend or colleague?
Not at all Likely
Extremely Likely

The Agenda Videos

Beyond Peak Oil
Sep 27, 2017
Turning Over a New Leaf
Sep 27, 2017
Hamilton Growth and other top stories
Oct 15, 2021
Ensuring Accessibility to Ontario Education
Oct 15, 2021
Marie Henein: Why Everyone is Entitled to a Defence
Oct 15, 2021
Private Money, Public Care
Oct 14, 2021
Public Health Care, Personal Care
Oct 14, 2021
Private Health, Care Public Solution?
Oct 14, 2021
Checking Toronto's Vital Signs
Oct 13, 2021
Which Way Should Hamilton Grow?
Oct 13, 2021
Should Hamilton Expand Its Boundaries?
Oct 13, 2021
Reconnecting Canadians with Nature
Oct 12, 2021

Current Affairs

Doug Ford at a press conference from the article The vaccine passport is a win for Doug Ford. Let’s hope it doesn’t go to his head
The vaccine passport is a win for Doug Ford. Let’s hope it doesn’t go to his head

OPINION: Things are looking up in Ontario. But the Tories shouldn’t let recent successes cloud their judgment like they did at the end of the second wave.

Man, seated at table, speaks into microphone. Woman wearing medical mask watches him in the background. from the article What’s ON: The week that was in Ontario politics (October 12-15)
What’s ON: The week that was in Ontario politics (October 12-15)
Reopening plans, QR codes, and child-care conflict.
nurses from the article So-called women’s work: Sexism in nursing goes way, way back
So-called women’s work: Sexism in nursing goes way, way back
Ontario nurses are feeling overworked and undervalued. The pandemic plays a massive role — but experts say it’s part of a long tradition.
vaccine certificate qr code from the article Ontario’s new vaccine certificate and verification app: What you need to know
Ontario’s new vaccine certificate and verification app: What you need to know

The province has released the details of its enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate and the Verify Ontario app for businesses. Read the full briefing here.

pink image of the coronavirus from the article COVID-19: What you need to know for October 15
COVID-19: What you need to know for October 15
The latest coronavirus updates from across the province.
bearded man in glasses stands in front of wall with posters from the article ‘We’re still in the dark’: Epidemiologist Colin Furness on COVID-19 in schools
‘We’re still in the dark’: Epidemiologist Colin Furness on COVID-19 in schools

TVO.org speaks with the U of T professor about rapid testing, airborne transmission — and what we do and don’t know about Ontario schools.

woman with tray of beer stands in front of table with patrons from the article The problems for restaurants won’t end when capacity limits are lifted
The problems for restaurants won’t end when capacity limits are lifted
OPINION: Bars and restaurants will soon see the end of the capacity limits they’ve chafed under for so long. But lifting restrictions won’t solve their labour issues.
blue modelling of the coronavirus from the article COVID-19: What you need to know for October 14
COVID-19: What you need to know for October 14

The latest coronavirus updates from across the province

three children playing with toys from the article Home child care should be affordable, high-quality — and licensed
Home child care should be affordable, high-quality — and licensed
OPINION: Licensed child-care centres have limited spaces. For many parents, the only alternative is home child care. We need a new system.