The Canadian Government has used a number of catch phrases to legitimize its support of fossil fuels. The Government described its environmental monitoring and regulation of the tar sands as “world-class”, also referring to Canada in this context as “a world leader”. Although the international community recognized these words as meaningless hype, many Canadians were re-assured that environmental risks were under control.
The value of Canadian dollar, also known as our petrodollar, soared. Most Canadians considered that this development validated the goal of Canada as “an energy super-power”.
The Canadian Government countered criticism that an inflated dollar was detrimental to Canada’s manufacturing base. Supported by the Alberta Government and the fossil fuel industry, it emphasized that the exploitation of the tar sands resulted in substantial purchases of goods and services from suppliers in other Provinces.