The Tyee – Gary Doer's Startling Embrace of the Oil Sands

The Tyee – Gary Doer's Startling Embrace of the Oil Sands

In 2005, Business Week magazine named then-Manitoba premier Gary Doer one of the top 20 individuals on the planet fighting climate change. Six years later, Doer, now Canada's ambassador to the U.S., is considered one of the top oil sands salespeople in Washington, D.C.

Traveling to America's capital city late last February, I'd wanted to ask him about this apparent incongruity at the apex of a long and successful political career. The oil sands, after all, are Canada's fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions.

They produce some of the planet's most carbon-intensive fuel.

How would Doer, once one of Canada's staunchest supporters of the Kyoto Accord, rationalize his new role, convincing American politicians their concerns about the oil sands are unfounded, telling them not to impose limits on rapid industry expansions?

I never got to ask Doer that question, but I came close. In the weeks leading up to my trip, the Canadian embassy and Alberta Washington office turned down nearly a dozen requests to set up an interview.