April 20, 2012
OTTAWA — The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, today issued the following statement in response to the European Commission’s decision to undertake an impact assessment of the proposed implementing measures for the Fuel Quality Directive.
“Canadahas consistently been calling for a thorough assessment of the Fuel Quality Directive.
“Canadawelcomes the news that the European Commission will be undertaking an ‘impact assessment’ of its proposed implementing measures for the European Union (EU) Fuel Quality Directive.
“We hope that the European Commission will conduct a full impact assessment that deals with the potential costs of this measure to consumers and also the potential costs to the EU’s economy.
“I have asked a senior official from my department to meet with officials at the European Commission in Brusselsnext week in order to secure more information and to offer Canada’s cooperation with all aspects of this study and to ensure Canadahas an opportunity to make submissions to this study.
“The Government of Canada’s position on this remains unchanged. We are not opposed to the goal of the Fuel Quality Directive. However, we remain strongly opposed to Canadian oil sands crude being unfairly discriminated against.Canadawants to ensure that any directive or policy that emerges in regard to the Fuel Quality Directive is fair.
“Independent studies have shown that the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of oil sands crude are similar to, or in some cases lower than, several crude oils currently imported and used daily in the EU.
“Our government will continue to promoteCanada, and the oil sands, as a stable, secure and responsible source of energy for the world.”
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