On Jan. 3, Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by United States military forces in Caracas. President Trump declared that the U.S. would now be “running” Venezuela (whatever that means), and while narratives of democratic freedom for Venezuela are opportune veneers, we know what this has always been about: oil. Numerous articles from The Globe and Mail have speculated that this seizure could mean the American oil market would become more competitive, making the American economy less reliant on Canadian oil imports. The Globe even referred to it as a “national emergency” in their editorial this past Sunday — how convenient.
The imposition of tariffs has already fuelled a narrative in Canada that promotes the expansion of our energy infrastructure. To be fair, the argument for pipelines is a damn strong one, given they reduce our dependence on the bilateral natural gas production agreement we have with the States. Oil is a strong bargaining tool, fair enough, but it also means that our climate change initiatives will be left drowning in a sea of goopy black sludge. Thanks for kowtowing to the shit climate agenda laid out in the federal budget, Elizabeth May, and thanks for backtracking and claiming it was a “mistake” (too little, too late, Lizzie). What good does some arbitrary agreement to follow some random piece of paper like the Paris Accord even do for our country if we’re willing to trudge up another pathway for a liquefied natural oil snake slithering across our lush provinces? (Now’s a bad time to be neighbouring Alberta). Late last year, Carney signed an MOU with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, laying the groundwork for pipeline construction, an agreement that led to the resignation of Steven Guilbeault, the Minister for Environment and Climate Change. And although she hasn’t said so, I’m left wondering if the resignation of Rebecca Shulz, Alberta’s Environment Minister, has anything to do with the fact that having an environment minister at all is a damn waste of time? I’d be wanting new career opportunities, too, Rebeca. On our own wild, wet coast, BC’s (so-called NDP) Premier David Eby has welcomed American oil money (wait, wasn’t this whole thing about sovereignty?) onto our coast with the Ksi Lisims offshore LNG project (but it’s fine because, like, one First Nations group said it was cool).
This narrative of national sovereignty is far too convenient for energy conglomerates. After countless decades of fighting for climate change action, this is where we’ve landed? Is there really no better alternative? I’ve been reflecting on the 2019 Wet’suwet’en pipeline activism that took all of Canada by storm, sparking national blockades of rail and transit routes. What an inspiring time to be alive. What happened to that spark? Have we all really caved to fear and apathy? Are we willing to allow imperialism to dictate our country’s future? What a dystopic illusion of choice — do we cave to the oil snakes or the orange cheeto next door?
Darien Johnsen is a UFV alumni who obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree with double extended minors in Global Development Studies and Sociology in 2020. She started writing for The Cascade in 2018, taking on the role of features editor shortly after. She’s passionate about justice, sustainable development, and education.